Municipality attends to faulty drain after toddler drowns

A three-year-old girl drowned in a running drain outside her residence in Shrinivaspuri area of South-East Delhi on Thursday afternoon. Her mother also took the plunge and stepped inside the drain with the help of the locals, but failed to find her child due to strong currents. Rescue operations continued till late evening, but the minor's body could not be found.

The incident took place around noon when the minor, Kiran, was playing outside her residence with her brother Sawan (5) and accidentally slipped inside the storm water drain through a broken portion of the slab covering the drain. Sawan immediately raised an alarm and alerted the neighbours, including the mother. Her mother Sonapati Kumari, alogwith the help of the neighbours stepped inside the drain but could not find her. "The locals held my hand and I stepped inside the drain to find her. The current was too strong and within minutes I could not even see her anywhere. Earlier also the residents had complained about the drain but no action was taken," said Sonapati. Police was informed and rescue operations begun shortly. Fire tenders, emergency response vehicles, divers, and local police were pressed into service but the girl could not be found until late evening.

Sonapati lives with her children in Rajasthan but due to some marital issues had moved back to her maternal home in Delhi recently.

The drain falls under the jurisdiction of South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC). "The drain (more than 4 feet deep) falls under our jurisdiction, however, the drowning is still a matter requiring investigation. It is an unfortunate incident. We are extending all logistical support to the police for the search. The corporation will take corrective action in the matter," said an SDMC official.