Why Open Manholes Remain Mumbai's Biggest Monsoon Hazard

Last Updated:June 24, 2026, 19:22 IST

Open manholes are dangerous throughout the year, but they become particularly lethal during the monsoon when roads and footpaths are submerged under rainwater.

The monsoon arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday, nearly two weeks after its normal onset date. But with the rains came the city’s familiar problems — waterlogged roads, flooded low-lying areas, and disruptions to road and rail traffic.

On Wednesday, the dangers posed by open drains and manholes became apparent when a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) employee fell into an open water channel during an inspection by Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawade.

The incident occurred at Gandhi Market in King’s Circle, where the Mayor was reviewing waterlogging issues. The BMC supervisor was quickly rescued and escaped without serious injuries.

The incident prompted Tawade to warn that officials in charge of wards where open manholes are found would face suspension.

BMC Had Set A May 31 Deadline

Weeks before the onset of the monsoon, BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide had directed all civic departments to ensure that waterlogging spots were addressed and that no manholes remained open by May 31.

She had instructed that protective grills be installed on all manholes and warned officials that no manhole should remain uncovered under any circumstances.

Despite these instructions, Wednesday’s incident highlighted the challenges faced by the civic body every monsoon.

High Court Pulled Up Authorities

Last year, the Bombay High Court directed municipal corporations and other authorities to pay Rs 6 lakh compensation in cases of deaths caused by potholes or open manholes. The court also ordered ex gratia payments ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2.5 lakh for injuries suffered in such incidents.

The court had observed that it did not find adequate seriousness on the part of authorities in addressing what it called a “perennial problem".

In 2024, the High Court also directed the BMC to install permanent protective grills on all manholes.

The Problem Of Stolen Covers

While civic authorities are responsible for ensuring manholes are covered, theft of cast iron covers remains another major concern.

According to an Indian Express report, 791 manhole covers were stolen in Mumbai in 2023. The figure stood at 836 in 2022, 564 in 2021, 458 in 2020 and 386 in 2019.

Senior BMC officials told the newspaper that stolen cast iron covers are often sold for around Rs 1,000.

Manhole Deaths Continue To Haunt Mumbai

Though the BMC worker was rescued immediately on Wednesday, open manholes have claimed several lives over the years.

Seven people died in such incidents in Mumbai in 2024.

There were also at least two reported deaths linked to open or damaged manholes in the Mumbai metropolitan region in 2025.

Despite repeated court directives, civic warnings and annual monsoon preparations, open manholes continue to pose one of Mumbai’s most dangerous and recurring hazards during the rainy season.

Why Open Manholes Become Deadly During Monsoon

Open manholes are dangerous throughout the year, but they become particularly lethal during the monsoon when roads and footpaths are submerged under rainwater.

Floodwater often completely conceals open drains and missing manhole covers, making them virtually invisible to pedestrians, motorists and sanitation workers. A person walking through a waterlogged street may unknowingly step into an uncovered manhole and be swept away by the strong current flowing through the underground drainage system.

The risk is even higher at night or during heavy downpours, when visibility is poor. In many cases, victims are dragged several metres through stormwater drains, making rescue operations difficult and time-consuming.

If the incident occurs in an isolated area or during peak rainfall, it can take hours for rescue teams to locate and pull out the victim. By then, the person may have drowned or suffered fatal injuries.

The danger is not limited to pedestrians. Two-wheeler riders, motorists and even civic workers engaged in cleaning drains are vulnerable to such accidents. Waterlogging also makes it difficult for passers-by to identify the exact location where a person has fallen, delaying rescue efforts.

Experts say that apart from ensuring that manholes remain covered, installing permanent protective grills beneath covers can prevent people from being sucked into drainage channels even if the covers are displaced or stolen.

Despite repeated court directions and annual monsoon preparations, open manholes continue to remain one of Mumbai’s deadliest recurring hazards during the rainy season, turning flooded streets into invisible traps.

About the Author

Saurabh VermaSenior Sub-editor

Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Chief Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19

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