After 24 hours, 16-yr-old who fell into nullah yet to be found

Thane: A 16-year-old boy, who fell into a nullah and was probably washed away during heavy rain at Shil-Daigar, is yet to be found after more than 24 hours, said fire officials on Thursday.

Shilphata fire officials said that as more than 24 hours have passed, it is unlikely that the boy will be found alive and believe that his body might eventually be found at Thane creek or somewhere around in the nullah itself, once the water recedes.

According to an official, the Thane Municipal Corporation’s (TMC) fire department at Shil received information about the boy’s — Wasim Sayyed — falling into a nullah at M S compound, Khardi village in Diva. A team rushed to the spot and initiated search operations.

“The boy fell in the nullah on Wednesday afternoon. However, the locals and the family members informed us only late at night. We rushed to the spot and initiated search operations,” said Pradeep Patil from the Shil fire department.

“The boy was walking and fell into the nullah as it was overflowing with three to four feet of water. He got washed away. Locals tried searching for him but were unsuccessful and then they called us,” added Patil.

“We looked for him for two long hours on Wednesday and then stalled the search operations as it was dark. On Thursday morning, the search was resumed and continued till afternoon.

“We assume if the boy was washed away, he would have reached the creek. We have searched all the possible places there. Now, it’s been more than 24 hours, so, we are waiting for the body to emerge at creek,” said Patil.

In the last 24 hours, rainfall in Thane city has crossed 200 mm and many areas in Shilphata, Diva have been flooded.

“We have asked the locals to keep a watch as it is possible that the body is in the locality itself, in case he was stuck somewhere. He may be found once the water level comes down. Meanwhile, our team is on alert,” said Patil.

The Shil-Daighar police have recorded it as an accident case and are investigating it.

Khardi residents claimed Wasim had gone on a scooter to a shop around 1 pm on Wednesday. While returning home, due to water logging, he parked the scooter and started walking home. However, the flow of water was so strong that he was swept into the nullah.

While most of Wasim’s family members refused to talk about the incident, a close relative, who did not wish to be named, said,” Wasim had stepped out to purchase something and did not return. We were worried as it was raining heavily, and the area was flooded. The family is shocked as he has not yet been found.”