Two-year-old boy buried after falling into open drain in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: A two-year-old boy who died after falling into an open sewerage drain outside his home in Hyderabad has been laid to rest.

The child, identified as Abdul Hadi, was the youngest of four brothers. He fell into an uncovered drain while playing outside his house in the densely populated Kali Mori area on Tuesday.

The accident occurred when the child’s father, Shahid Qureshi, had left home to work as a labourer. Family members and local residents later searched for the boy after he went missing.

Kali Mori is one of the densely populated areas of Hyderabad, where several open drains can be seen filled with garbage. Residents say the lack of proper covers and safety barriers around sewerage drains poses a constant danger, particularly to children.

The Sattar Shah drain is considered the largest sewerage drain in the area. Residents said this was not the first incident involving children falling into the drain. They claimed that several children had previously fallen into open drains in the locality.

Hyderabad’s sewerage system consists of drains and manholes spread across different parts of the city. However, residents complain that safety arrangements are missing at several locations, increasing the risk of fatal accidents.

Deputy Commissioner Hyderabad Zain-ul-Abideen Memon said illegal construction had also taken place in parts of the area. He said a survey was being conducted to identify such structures and assess the situation.

Residents have urged the administration and relevant municipal authorities to immediately cover open drains and install protective barriers at dangerous locations.

They said effective safety measures should be taken across Hyderabad to prevent further loss of life and ensure that children and other residents are protected from open sewerage drains.