Pipeline burst claims 1
One person drowned and 14 others suffered suffocation and injuries when an underground water main pipeline burst and flooded homes at Govandi (east) on Monday.
The incident took place in Sanjivani Housing Society at around 3.30 am, when a 24-inch water main, which ran under the building, suddenly burst leading to water entering homes. People living on the ground floor were caught unawares as water gushed into their homes with full force.
One person Devisingh Hajare (60), who lived in a flat right above the pipeline drowned, while others sustained injuries. One woman Sunanda Bhandare (40) was reported to be in a critical condition and was admitted to the intensive respiratory care unit of Sion Hospital.
With water gushing into homes, the building caved in and its compound wall collapsed. The incident also caused disruption of water supply to the entire area and was restored only after almost six hours.
According to the civic officials, the connection, which runs 7 to 8 feet under the Sanjivani building, was blocked long ago. However, since it was connected to the other 72-inch main the water supply continued. A prolonged water pressure resulted in the pipeline burst, they said.
While out of the 14 injured only four were admitted to Shatabdi Hospital in Govandi, two were shifted to Sion Hospital and the rest were treated and allowed to go home.
Senior medical officer of Shatabdi Hospital Dr Shridhar Sawant said, “Mr Hajare was declared dead on admission.” However, a five-year-old girl Sharda, who also is visually challenged, survived the accident.
Sharda’s aunt Nivedita Hazare said, “We thought an earthquake had taken place, but in no time water gushed into our homes. Everything started floating and my grandfather could not make an escape.”
The Govandi police has registered a case against the builder and a few society members for death due to negligence. “We are also trying to identify the officers in the Mhada and in the BMC who are responsible. The pipeline, after being diverted, should have been sealed off, which the officers failed to do,” said senior police inspector Bhalchandra Rane.
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