BMC Worker, On A Rainy Day, Risks Life To Protect Mumbaikars From Open Manhole. Internet Salutes ‘True Hero’

Mumbai is currently witnessing heavy and persistent monsoon showers. (Photo Credit: X)

A Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) worker in Dadar East’s Hindu Colony has risked his life during Mumbai’s heavy monsoon showers. He sat beside an open manhole as water rapidly filled the pit. Holding an umbrella, he warned pedestrians and motorists to stay away, preventing potential accidents. The incident was captured on camera and has since gone viral on X. The clip showed cars passing by him.

Mumbai is currently witnessing heavy and persistent monsoon showers, leading to widespread waterlogging and traffic disruptions across the city. Overnight rainfall has intensified the situation, with several areas submerged, causing inconvenience to commuters.

The BMC is the local government that takes care of Mumbai. It builds and maintains roads, drains, and public spaces, supplies water, and manages sewage and garbage. BMC also runs hospitals and health programmes, enforces building rules and ensures city safety, especially during heavy rains or floods.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued multiple alerts for Mumbai and surrounding districts, including Thane, Palghar, and Raigad. While a red alert has been sounded for some districts indicating very heavy rain, orange and yellow alerts have been issued for others depending on the expected rainfall intensity.

Low-lying pockets of the city are among the worst hit. Places like Andheri Subway, King’s Circle, Matunga, and the Trombay-Mankhurd tunnels are facing severe waterlogging. Vehicular movement has slowed considerably, and in some cases, roads and underpasses have been closed temporarily.

Local train services, the city’s lifeline, have also been affected, with delays and disruptions reported due to flooding on tracks and water accumulation in suburban routes.

The weather department has forecast that the rain spells will continue for the next two to three days. Intermittent heavy to very heavy showers, accompanied by gusty winds, thunderstorms, and lightning, are expected in certain parts of the city and adjoining regions.

While the downpour has brought slightly cooler conditions, high humidity and overcast skies are likely to persist.

Authorities have advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly in coastal and low-lying areas, especially during high tide when flooding risk increases.

In September last year, a 45-year-old woman, tragically died after falling into an open manhole on a waterlogged road in Andheri East. An internal report by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation later cleared the civic body of negligence, attributing the responsibility to the contractor.