7-year-old boy swept away in Haider Canal | Lucknow News

Lucknow: A seven-year-old boy was swept away in an open drain near Haider Canal in the Hussainganj area of Lucknow on Wednesday evening.Despite hours of search operation by SDRF personnel, divers, police and municipal teams, the boy was not found until the last reports came in.The victim, identified as Veeru, lived with his father Nanhe, a scrap dealer and grandmother Savitri in a makeshift hut near the Ramleela Ground close to the Kila outpost. Around 7 pm, Veeru was playing with five other children near the drain when he slipped while throwing soil into it. Hearing his cries, his uncle Manoj and another young man jumped into the water to save him. One of them briefly caught Veeru’s hand but, unable to swim against the current, lost his grip as both risked drowning. Veeru was swept away, while the rescuer was later pulled out with the help of a young woman using her dupatta.The incident sparked a massive search operation. Hussainganj police, firefighters and later SDRF teams launched rescue efforts at multiple locations, using hooks and equipment near the sewage treatment plant on the canal, but the child remained untraced till late night. Family members were inconsolable, rushing from one end of the canal to another in search of hope. Veeru’s grandmother Savitri and father Nanhe broke down before Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharakwal, who arrived with civic officials. Folding their hands, they pleaded with the Mayor, saying, “He is our only support, please save him.”Adding to the family’s despair, Veeru’s mother left three months ago, leaving grandmother Savitri to care for him and his younger brother Shiva. Residents alleged civic negligence, pointing to the open, unprotected canal that witnessed similar tragedies in the past. According to Veeru’s grandmother, the incident occurred near the Ramleela Ground, which shares a boundary wall with the Haider Canal. Veeru was playing marbles with other children close to the wall when some of the marbles rolled into the drain. In an attempt to retrieve them, the boy climbed onto the narrow ledge of the drain wall. However, while reaching down, he lost his balance and slipped into the deep, fast-flowing drain. Despite frantic efforts by nearby children and residents to alert his family and authorities, Veeru was quickly carried away by the strong current. Rescue efforts continued through the night.His father, Nanhe, broke down at the scene, saying, “My son was swept away. He was playing near the drain when neighbours rushed to inform us that he fell,” he said. Nanhe also alleged negligence by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation, claiming the open drain was a death trap for years. “The drain is completely uncovered. When it rains, the water flow becomes very strong. Accidents happened here before too. Last year, a 30-year-old man drowned at the same spot. Even then no safety measures were taken. Now my seven-year-old son has been swept away,” he said, his voice choked with grief.Family member Shatrughan said a ritual function was underway at their home when the accident occurred. Veeru, described as a cheerful child, went out to play with several other children before the tragedy unfolded. This tragedy also echoes a similar case in July in Thakurganj, where a 32-year-old man drowned in an overflowing drain, highlighting the urgent need for preventive safety measures.