GUWAHATI: A weekend outing to the picturesque Lonavala area near Pune turned tragic as a devastating drowning incident at a waterfall near Bhushi Dam claimed the lives of four family members. A heart-wrenching video of the incident has surfaced, capturing the moment a family was swept away by the surging currents.
The viral video, which has gained significant attention on social media, shows a man, a woman, and children clinging to each other in the middle of a ferocious waterfall. The torrent, intensified by heavy monsoon rains, eventually overpowered them, sweeping them away.
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Tragically, four people, including a woman and three children, drowned, and one child remains missing. Search operations, involving volunteers and rescue teams, resumed on Monday, July 1.
The family, hailing from Sayyad Nagar in Pune's Hadapsar area, had visited the scenic spot near Lonavala, located just 80 km from Mumbai, for a picnic on Sunday. What began as a joyful outing turned into a nightmare when the water levels suddenly rose due to intense rainfall.
Around 12:30 pm, about 10 family members were caught in a sudden surge of water. While some managed to escape, others were less fortunate. One young girl was rescued by other visitors at the site.
The victims have been identified as Shahista Liaqat Ansari (36), Amima Adil Ansari (13), Umera Adil Ansari (8), and Mariya Ansari (9). Their bodies were recovered from a downstream reservoir. The search continues for the missing child, Adnan Sabhahat Ansari (4), with the combined efforts of the Vanyajeev Rakshak Maval team, the Shivdurg rescue team, and Navy divers.
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As the monsoon season begins, Lonavala, known for its scenic waterfalls and lush landscapes, attracts large crowds, particularly to the Bhushi and Pavana Dam areas. However, despite repeated warnings from the police and local authorities about the dangers of exploring unknown areas during the rainy season, many visitors continue to ignore these cautions.
On Sunday, more than 50,000 people visited Lonavala. Police officials reported that many revellers were seen under the waterfalls in the Bhushi Dam region, disregarding the safety warnings.
Tragedy in India
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"It's a tragic incident," a police official told media. "Despite numerous warnings, people continue to venture into hazardous areas in the hilly terrain upstream of Bhushi Dam."
