In Delhi, a 23-year-old woman and her three-year-old son lost their lives after falling into an open drain during a heavy downpour last evening. Tanuja Bisht and her young son, Priyansh, were returning from a weekly market in Ghazipur when the rain caused severe waterlogging on the roads.
As they navigated the flooded streets, Tanuja fell into an open drain with her son. Despite efforts to locate them, their bodies were found about 500 meters away, hours later. In a heart-wrenching scene, Tanuja was discovered still clutching her son’s hand, even in death.
The family has criticized the response to the tragedy, claiming that a quicker rescue operation might have saved them. Tanuja’s husband, Govind Singh, who works in Noida, was at work when the incident occurred. He and other family members expressed frustration over the delayed and inadequate rescue efforts. They reported that emergency responders arrived without proper equipment and that the lack of an ambulance forced them to transport the victims to Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital in a private vehicle.
Local residents have long been frustrated with the state of civic infrastructure, pointing out that the drain in question has been open and overflowing during rains for months. They have repeatedly raised complaints with local authorities, but action has been slow. One resident lamented the failure of the administration to address the issue, noting that similar incidents have occurred frequently during monsoons.
This tragic incident is part of a broader pattern of civic failures in Delhi. Just a week ago, three IAS aspirants died when a basement in Rajinder Nagar, housing a study circle library, was flooded during heavy rains. The frequent blockages and poor maintenance of drainage systems continue to choke the city every monsoon, drawing criticism from residents and activists alike.
As Delhi grapples with these recurring issues, the need for improved infrastructure and more responsive civic administration becomes ever more urgent.
