- Mayor Ritu Tawde inspected Mumbai's monsoon readiness.
- Sanitation worker fell into an open drain nearby.
- Mayor warned officials, urged public vigilance on drains.
After nearly a two-week delay, the monsoon finally arrived in Mumbai, bringing relief for the people not just from the sweltering weather but also from a looming water crisis. However, the challenges of sewage and waterlogging have continued to hurt the financial capital during the monsoon for a long time. A glimpse of it was witnessed on Wednesday when Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Mayor Ritu Tawde herself reached the ground to assess the situation.
Her ground visit and inspection saw an unexpected turn of events when a sanitation worker fell into an open drain next to her while she was speaking to the media.
People present there were quick to take the BMC sanitation worker out. Agitated Tawde directed that any manhole or drain must not remain open.
🚨 Shocking moment in Mumbai!
— Priyank Singh (@PKSingh19960) June 24, 2026
A BMC sanitation worker fell into an open manhole while clearing a drain at Sion’s Gandhi Market during heavy rain and waterlogging.
The worker was rescued in time as Mayor Ritu Tawde inspected the site. pic.twitter.com/JEMb0fFO4I
She reprimanded the officials present at the spot and issued a stern warning that if any manholes or drains were found open anywhere in the city, the officer responsible for that ward would be immediately suspended.
Drain was opened for garbage removal
The incident sparked reactions on social media as the video went viral quickly. However, the mayor explained that the drain was open for removing garbage.
She also made an appeal to the public, saying that alert signs and barricades had been installed. When it's clearly written "Be careful," people should be vigilant.
She also inspected waterlogged areas and reviewed the ongoing suction pump operations going on in Mumbai. Tawade said, "It's a great thing that the rains have come after so much waiting, Mumbaikars should enjoy it... I am at Gandhi Market, and the pumps are working here. The road is absolutely clean... The entire administration is on the ground..."
ALSO READ: Mumbai: 22-Year-Old Stabbed To Death Over Minor Argument Inside Local Train; Accused At Large
Speaking about the monsoon rainfall, Tawade said, "The rain is on pause for now. In the last 24 hours, the city received 250 mm rainfall. Because of that, there was water stagnation, but water is being cleared using pumps... Leaving aside the Andheri subway, the situation across Mumbai was fine..."