Miyapur rescue operation continues as Balaiah remains missing

The search for 70-year-old Balaiah, who was swept away in a storm water drain in Miyapur on July 28, entered its 10th day. Multiple rescue agencies continue the operation, while his family has appealed to authorities not to stop the search.

Hyderabad: The search for 70-year-old Balaiah, who was allegedly swept away in a storm water drain at Vaishali Nagar in Miyapur, entered its 10th day on Friday, with rescue teams yet to trace him.

Teams from GHMC, HYDRAA, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire Services and the police continued an extensive search using drones and other advanced equipment, but there has been no information on his whereabouts.

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Officials said desilting of the drain is also being carried out as part of the operation under the supervision of Zonal Commissioner Narayana Amit.

Miyapur Inspector N Jayaram said search teams covered nearly 5 km along the storm water drain but were unable to locate him.

“The civic authorities are continuously on the job, but their efforts have not been fruitful yet. The debris and silt in the storm water drain are making the search more difficult. The silt is being cleared, and all possible locations that our teams can reach are being thoroughly checked,” the inspector said.

With no breakthrough even after several days, Balaiah’s family remains anxious.

Speaking to media persons, his wife Padma, who works as a domestic help, appealed to the civic authorities to continue the search until he is found. “It has been several days, but we still have no information about him. Every day we come here hoping for some news. We just want him to be found, whatever the outcome,” she said.

Balaiah, a resident of Prem Nagar in Hafeezpet, reportedly fell into the open drain on the night of July 28 while attempting to cross the stretch near the Vaishali Nagar underpass, where nala repair works were underway. Police said he was swept away by the strong flow of rainwater.

According to eyewitnesses, Balaiah, who was walking with the help of a stick, was being assisted by two youths when he lost his balance and fell into the drain.

The incident has triggered criticism from Balaiah’s family and local residents, who alleged negligence by the contractor and claimed that adequate barricades and safety measures were not in place despite the ongoing repair works.