Tragic Drowning Incident in Berhampur Highlights Open Drain Dangers

Open Drain Dangers Resurface in Berhampur
Berhampur: Residents of Berhampur are once again facing the dangers posed by open drains, as a tragic incident occurred on Wednesday when a 55-year-old man drowned after being swept away by water in an uncovered drain. The victim, identified as Mahendra Panigrahi from Kharavela Nagar, was found near the MKCG Medical College and Hospital playground, following heavy rainfall in the area.
Witnesses discovered his body floating near the playground and quickly transported him to the hospital via auto-rickshaw. Authorities were alerted, and police arrived at the scene shortly after. The incident gained attention on social media, leading Mahendra’s son, Siddhant Panigrahi, along with other family members, to the hospital for identification. According to police, a post-mortem will be conducted following a formal inquiry. Family members reported that Mahendra had left home on his scooter earlier that day, and the flooded roads may have obscured the open drain from his view.
An investigation is currently underway to determine the precise circumstances of the accident and to locate the scooter. This incident marks the second drowning related to open drains in Berhampur within a year. Last August, a student tragically drowned after falling into an uncovered drain while cycling home during heavy rain. The city continues to grapple with numerous uncovered drains, which pose significant risks, yet the Works department and Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) have not implemented sufficient measures to rectify the situation.