New Delhi, July 2 -- A 55-year-old man lost his life after falling into an open manhole during heavy rainfall in Mumbai on Thursday, prompting widespread outrage and strong reactions from political leaders and civic authorities.

The incident took place in the Chandivali area of the city's western suburbs, officials said.

Teams from the Mumbai Fire Brigade and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) disaster management department launched an extensive search operation before recovering the victim's body.

According to BMC officials, three contractual workers had removed the manhole cover to carry out maintenance work. The victim, who was allegedly speaking on his mobile phone while walking, is believed to have accidentally stepped...