Gurugram: 8 dead in rain-related incidents, 3 due to electric shock

Eight persons died in rain-related incidents across Gurugram from Wednesday night to Thursday afternoon, the Hindustan Times reported.

The heavy downpour caused severe waterlogging, traffic disruptions and power outages in several parts of the city.

Gurugram received 133 mm of rainfall in the 12 hours leading up to 8 am on Thursday, The Indian Express reported. Of this, 103 mm was received from 7.30 pm to 9 pm on Wednesday.

Among those who died on Wednesday evening was graphic designer Akshat Jain. He was returning home from a gym when his motorcycle skidded on Ghasola Road, and he came in contact with electric wires submerged in rainwater.

Jain’s family filed a police complaint accusing the power department of negligence, after which a case was registered, The Indian Express reported.

Pawan Kumar, a 26-year-old food delivery executive, died after being electrocuted near Sector 18, the Hindustan Times reported. His body was found next to an electric pole. A shopkeeper who attempted to rescue him also suffered electrical burns. A first information report has been registered in this case as well.

Prashant Mishra, a 22-year-old, died in Arjun Nagar on Wednesday night after touching a railing that had become electrified by a frayed wire lying in ankle-deep water. He was declared dead before help arrived.

Shailendra Kumar, a 28-year-old auto-rickshaw driver, drowned near Sispal Vihar in Sector 49 after falling into an uncovered manhole. He was believed to have stepped off the road during the rain, after which he was pulled head-first into the manhole by the water current, the police said.

A case of negligence has been filed against Municipal Corporation of Gurugram employees, the Hindustan Times reported.

Vanshika, a 24-year-old employee at the Delhi Airport, died around 3.30 am on Thursday when the taxi she was traveling in rammed into a divider, The Indian Express reported. The driver and another airport employee who were in the vehicle were injured.

On Thursday afternoon, three teenagers – Ashish Kumar, Surjeet, and Devender – drowned after falling into an abandoned mining pit filled with rainwater, in the Aravali hills, PTI reported. All three boys were around 15 to 16 years old.

The India Meteorological Department had on Thursday issued an orange alert warning of very heavy rains in Gurugram. A rain-related orange alert is usually issued for a downpour between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm within 24 hours, and requires authorities to “be alert”.

In response to the alert, the district administration had advised private offices to allow employees to work from home.