Hyderabad's Open Drain Tragedy: Telangana High Court Unleashes Fury on Disaster Agency Over Lost Life

In a scathing rebuke that minced no words, the Telangana High Court recently took the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Fire Services Department to task, expressing profound dismay over what can only be described as a shocking failure. The court's ire stemmed from the tragic death of a young girl, M. Mounika, who lost her life after falling into an open drain – a devastating incident that, quite frankly, exposed glaring deficiencies within the very agency tasked with safeguarding lives in such emergencies.

You see, the bench, comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice J. Anil Kumar, didn't just 'pull up' the department; they expressed utter astonishment. Their exact words conveyed a deep sense of frustration: how could an agency, specifically created to respond to disasters and save lives, stand by, seemingly helpless, when a life was on the line? It’s almost unbelievable, isn’t it?

The roots of this judicial reprimand trace back to a habeas corpus petition filed following Mounika's disappearance. Initially, the plea was simply to locate the missing girl, but as the grim reality unfolded, it morphed into a much larger conversation about accountability and preparedness. The court was clearly disturbed, observing that the department lacked even the most basic equipment required for a rescue operation of this nature. Imagine that – a disaster response team, without the tools to respond!

One might wonder, and indeed the court did, what exactly is the point of having such an agency if it can’t perform its fundamental duty? The Chief Justice himself highlighted this critical flaw, pointing out that not only was there a severe dearth of proper rescue equipment, but also, disturbingly, a lack of adequate training among the personnel. It's a double whammy, really: no gear and no proper drills. How are they expected to function effectively?

This isn't an isolated issue, either. The court's indignation wasn't just about this one tragic incident; it tied into a broader, recurring problem. For quite some time now, the High Court has been issuing directives to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and other relevant authorities, urging them to cover open drains and ensure public safety. Despite these clear instructions, these drains, like the one Mounika fell into, continue to pose deadly risks across the city. It begs the question: are these directives simply falling on deaf ears?

The judges, in their exasperation, went as far as to demand answers directly from the state government. They have instructed the government to file a comprehensive counter-affidavit, seeking to understand why such an appalling situation was allowed to persist and what concrete steps are being taken to prevent future tragedies. This isn't merely a request; it's a firm expectation for accountability and, more importantly, for tangible change.

What truly compounded the court's frustration was the response, or rather, the lack thereof, from the GHMC during the initial stages of the incident. It appeared as though critical information was either withheld or not properly communicated, leading to further delays and confusion. This whole situation is a stark reminder of the devastating human cost when public safety is neglected and institutional failures go unchecked. It's a wake-up call, if ever there was one, for Hyderabad's emergency services to get their act together, and fast.