In Lonavala, near the Bhushi Dam, a tragic incident unfolded as five individuals, including four children, were swept away by a waterfall in a restricted area approximately 2 kilometers from the dam. The incident occurred on Sunday, and despite ongoing rescue efforts, two more bodies were recovered on Monday. Police inspector Suhas Jagtap of Lonavala city police station identified the deceased as nine-year-old Mariya Akil Sayyad and four-year-old Adnan Sabhahat Ansari.
A group of 19 family members from Hadapsar in Pune had visited Lonavala for a monsoon trip. Among them was a newlywed couple. They ventured to a waterfall behind Bhushi Dam, a restricted area. Initially, the water flow was moderate, but heavy rainfall increased the flow, sweeping ten tourists away around 3 pm. Five were rescued, while the remaining five were carried into the reservoir connected to the dam. The area is under the jurisdiction of Indian Railways and the Forest Department and is clearly marked as restricted.
The rescue operation began immediately, involving rural police, INS Shivaji personnel, and members of Shivdurga Mitra Mandal. On Sunday, they recovered three victims: 13-year-old Ameena Salman alias Adil Ansari, her eight-year-old sister Umera Salman alias Adil Ansari, and 37-year-old Shahista Liyakat Ansari. In response to the incident, officials from various government departments, including Pune rural police, surveyed dangerous spots in the region on Monday. The government plans to impose restrictions on access to certain areas in Lonavala during the rainy season to prevent similar tragedies. A senior police officer mentioned that the district collector would issue orders restricting tourist access to hazardous spots after 6 pm.
On Monday, a meeting was convened with officials from the Railways, Forest Department, Pune rural police, Lonavala Municipal Council, and other relevant agencies to discuss preventive measures. Sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Satya Sai Karthik emphasized the importance of observing the restrictions and exercising caution while visiting Lonavala. Former corporator Farooq Inamdar from Hadapsar noted that the victims were relatives, many of whom were involved in small businesses or worked as domestic helpers. He added that the newlywed couple from Sayyad Nagar, who were injured, are now stable.
Follow for more.
