Gurgaon's Flood Tragedy: Two Lives Lost to Negligence

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## A Night of Heartbreak in Gurgaon: Two Lives Lost to Floods and Negligence

Heavy rains can turn a bustling city into a challenging landscape, but for Gurgaon on the night of July 9th, they brought unimaginable tragedy. Two young men, both in the prime of their lives, lost their lives in separate, yet equally heartbreaking, incidents that highlight critical safety concerns during urban flooding.

**Shailendra's Last Call**

Shailendra, a 27-year-old autorickshaw driver, was the backbone of his family. That evening, as knee-deep water flooded Gurgaon's streets, his pregnant wife, Sumanlata, waited anxiously for him at home. Their last conversation was at 8:19 PM; he was dropping off a passenger and would be home soon.

But soon never came. Around 9 PM, Sumanlata called again, but there was no answer. "I made 200 calls after that," the 21-year-old, expecting their second child, recounted later. Her anxiety turned to fear as hours passed. By 3 AM, she reported him missing to the police.

It was only the next morning, around 7 AM, that a devastating discovery was made. Delivery executives found Shailendra's body inside an open sewer in Sector 47. His autorickshaw, trying to navigate the waterlogged street, had plunged into the uncovered manhole, overturning and trapping him inside. Bystanders rushed him to the hospital, but it was too late.

Shailendra had moved to Gurgaon five years ago from his hometown in Uttar Pradesh, building a stable life for his family. Now, Sumanlata faces an uncertain future. "I have lost everything in this city. I will have to move back to my hometown. What will I do here alone?" she lamented.

**Akshat Jain: A Shocking End**

Just a few kilometers away, another life was tragically cut short the same night. Akshat Jain, a 25-year-old graphic designer, was on his way home from the gym. As he waded through a flooded road in Ghasola village, trying to balance his bike, he accidentally touched a live wire dangling into the water. He died on the spot.

A fellow biker, who witnessed the horrific incident, described feeling a "strange tingling" in his feet just moments before Akshat collapsed and began shaking violently. The witness, frozen in fear, watched as people gathered, but no one dared to touch him.

**A Call for Accountability**

In both incidents, the grieving families have registered complaints for death by negligence. Police have stated that show-cause notices have been issued to the concerned departments, and further investigation is underway.

These tragedies serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by inadequate urban infrastructure, especially during heavy rains. Open sewers and exposed live wires in flooded areas are preventable hazards. No family should have to endure such a preventable loss. It's a call for accountability, better city planning, and immediate action to ensure the safety of every resident.

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