CHENNAI: A 59-year-old housekeeping worker died after falling into a rainwater-filled pit that had been left uncovered during stormwater drain work near Anna Nagar Tower Metro station in Anna Nagar on Sunday night.The deceased was identified as Kalavathi, 59. She lived with her husband, Mohanraj, in Padi Pudunagar, Anna Nagar West Extension. She also lived with her 28-year-old daughter, Sangeetha, and worked as a housekeeping employee at a sweet shop on Fourth Avenue.Police said Kalavathi left home around 9pm after informing her daughter over the phone that she was going to a nearby church.Around 10.20pm, she was walking towards the Tower Metro station along Second Avenue when she fell into an uncovered pit, about one foot deep, which had been dug for stormwater drain work and had filled with rainwater.She tried to get up but fell back into the water and became motionless. Passers-by suspected there could be an electrical hazard and alerted the police through the 100 helpline instead of attempting to rescue her.Police reached the spot and, with the help of members of the public, pulled Kalavathi out. A 108 ambulance crew examined her and declared her dead. Her body was sent to the KMC mortuary for a post-mortem examination.Electricity Board officials inspected the site and reported that there was no power leakage at the time. Anna Nagar police registered a case and were examining CCTV footage from the area.Meanwhile, Chennai Corporation officials claimed that the pit was not dug for stormwater drain work and had simply filled with rainwater. After receiving information about the incident, corporation officials filled the pit with debris and concrete and covered it.
