A tragic incident has struck a family in Delhi’s Sarita Vihar, where an 18-year-old youth, identified as Ankit, went missing after falling into an overflowing drain during heavy rainfall. Despite ongoing search operations by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local divers, he remains untraced. The incident occurred around 8:00 p.m. on Friday in the Priyanka Camp area of Sarita Vihar. Ankit, who worked as a pantry worker in Noida, was returning home after his shift. While attempting to cross a small bridge over a drain—which is typically shallow but had become a fast-flowing torrent due to the heavy downpour—he lost his footing.
According to eyewitnesses, bystanders attempted to warn Ankit of the danger, but he was reportedly in a hurry to reach home. As he attempted to cross, he slipped and was immediately swept away by the strong current.
Delhi: An 18-year-old youth, identified as Ankit, was swept away in a drain in the Priyanka Camp area under Sarita Vihar Police Station during heavy rain on Friday evening. He is yet to be traced. His father has appealed to the administration to find his son, who is the elder of… pic.twitter.com/BzeUGxfLl8
— IANS (@ians_india) August 8, 2026
Search and Rescue Efforts
Family members and local authorities confirmed that NDRF teams and police personnel conducted an extensive search late into the night. Operations were temporarily hampered by darkness, but officials have assured the family that the search will continue until the victim is recovered.
Public Outcry Over Infrastructure
This tragedy has reignited public anger regarding the lack of safety measures around open drains in the national capital. Residents claim they have repeatedly alerted authorities about the hazardous condition of the drain over the past several months, yet no preventive action was taken.The incident highlights the growing crisis in Delhi and the NCR region, where relentless monsoon rains have paralyzed daily life. Widespread waterlogging—with depths reaching up to four feet in some areas—has caused severe traffic congestion, stranded vehicles, and created flood-like conditions across the city.
Also Read: Rs 11 Lakh Foreign Job Fraud: Nagpur Woman Sold To Beer Shop Owner In Portugal, Police Probe
Shamshad Ali is a New Delhi–based journalist with over six years of experience spanning breaking news writing, on-the-ground reporting, and editing. When he isn’t chasing headlines, Shamshad is usually exploring new destinations, discovering hidden culinary gems, and striking up conversations with strangers. Many of whom turn out to be great sources, and even better friends. He can be reached at shamshadali.dar@gmail.com.
