Pune : Former Vadgaon Sheri corporator dies in attempt to combat mosquitoes

Tragedy struck Vadgaon Sheri as Sheetal Gyaneshwar Shinde, a former corporator aged 41, met a fatal end while attempting to fend off mosquitoes near her residence. In an effort to mitigate the mosquito menace plaguing the area, Shinde resorted to burning garbage, a common belief being that smoke acts as a deterrent to mosquitoes.

However, her use of sanitiser to aid in burning the garbage led to an unexpected and catastrophic outcome.

The sanitiser inadvertently ignited a fire that engulfed Shinde, resulting in severe burns covering 40 percent of her body. Despite being hospitalized for over a month and undergoing treatment, her condition deteriorated, complicated further by pre-existing diabetes, ultimately leading to multiple organ failure and her demise on Wednesday night.

The residents of Kharadi and Vadgaon Sheri have been grappling with the mosquito infestation for over two months, prompting various measures to protect themselves. Unfortunately, Shinde’s attempt to alleviate the issue ended tragically. 

Her passing has left the community in mourning, as both Sheetal and her husband, former corporator Dyaneshwar Shinde, had served their community with dedication despite facing significant challenges.

Senior police inspector Manisha Patil confirmed the incident, stating that the case has been registered as accidental death. 

Meanwhile, the persistent mosquito infestation in Vadgaon Sheri and surrounding areas, exacerbated by water hyacinth trapped in the riverbeds, continues to pose challenges. 

Residents have urged the municipal corporation to devise a permanent solution to address stagnant water and mosquito breeding, as efforts to remove the water hyacinth have proven ineffective.