Sydney man dies in stormwater drain

A man is dead after becoming trapped in a stormwater drain at a rubbish and recycling plant in Sydney's south.

Paramedics were called to the Lucas Heights Waste Management and Recycling Centre on New Illawarra Road at 3.15pm (AEDT) on Monday.

It's believed the man was washed into the drain and became trapped as torrential rain lashed parts of the city.

He died at the scene and is believed to have drowned.

"Unfortunately there was nothing we could do," a NSW Ambulance spokesman told AAP.

The waste management plant is operated by SITA.

It remains unclear if the man was employed at the plant.

Police were attempting to recover the man's body from the drain.

A WorkCover spokesman could immediately not confirm if it will investigate the death.