Gurgaon Floods Kill Two Lives in One Night: Pregnant Woman’s 200 Calls Go Unanswered; Husband Found Dead in Sewer

On the night of July 9, 2025, relentless monsoon rains overwhelmed Gurgaon’s drainage system. Floodwaters—over two and a half feet deep in parts—brought the city to a standstill, turning communal roads into death traps ﹘ especially open manholes and submerged electrical hazards

Who Were the Victims?

Two lives were tragically lost:

• Shailendra, a 27‑year‑old auto‑rickshaw driver from Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, who worked nightly to support his family
• Akshat Jain, a 25‑year‑old graphic designer, electrocuted by a live wire while riding through flooded Sector 49

The Pregnant Wife’s Ordeal

Shailendra’s pregnant wife, Sumalata, 21, endured a harrowing night of fear and uncertainty. She called him over 200 times between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m., but heard nothing That night, she waited knee‑deep in water, unable to reach authorities as the flood intensified. She eventually informed the landlord, who alerted police—but it was already dawn.

At 7 a.m., Shailendra’s body was recovered from an open sewer in Sector 47. His auto-rickshaw and mobile phone were found nearby

The Second Fatality and Broader Impact

Meanwhile, Akshat Jain died instantly after touching a submerged live wire during the flooding. His family has accused the power department of negligence and filed a complaint

In total, five fatalities occurred in Gurgaon due to rain-related hazards that night

Urban Infrastructure Failure at Fault

Residents and experts highlight chronic issues:

• Open or unmarked manholes submerged underwater.
• Poor drainage systems overwhelmed by rainfall.
• Exposed live wires posing electrocution and fire risks.

Despite previous complaints, little preventive action was taken

Official Response & Investigations

• Families have filed negligence complaints.
• Local police have initiated investigations.
• No definitive timeline has been given for draining waterlogged zones.

Public Outrage and Demands

Social media is filled with anger and grief. On Reddit, one user wrote: I made 200 calls… she waited all night… he fell into an open sewer… no one’s responsible

Residents are demanding:

• Immediate repair of drainage and sewage systems.
• Better safety measures—covering manholes and marking danger zones.
• Accountability from civic agencies and power utilities.

What Needs to Change

1. Infrastructure Upgrades: Revise and expand Gurgaon’s drainage network.
2. Safety Audits: Inspect and secure public utilities before monsoon.
3. Emergency Protocols: Ensure rapid-response systems for flood incidents.
4. Public Awareness: Use alerts and signage in high-risk zones.
5. Accountability: Impose strict penalties for negligence in civic maintenance.