Tragic Pune Picnic: 3 Family Members Drown in Waterfall, 2 Children Missing

A tragic incident occurred in Pune’s Hadapsar area, where a group of people, including children, were swept away by gushing water caused by intense rainfall. The group, consisting of 16-17 members from a family in Sayyad Nagar, had hired a private bus to visit a scenic spot near Lonavala for a picnic on a rain-soaked day. Around 12:30 pm, about 10 people were swept away due to sudden flooding, resulting in the loss of several lives, while two children, Adnan Sabhahat Ansari (4) and Mariya Aqil Ansari (9), remain missing. Search operations were conducted by volunteers and divers to locate the missing children, with plans to resume the search on Monday.

The family members had gone to see the waterfall close to the Bhushi dam and were caught off guard by the rising water flow due to intense rain in the area, leading to the tragic incident. This occurrence serves as a warning amidst the monsoon season, as thousands of visitors frequent the Bhushi and Pavana dam regions despite warnings from authorities. A police officer estimated that over 50,000 people had visited Lonavala on the day of the incident, emphasizing the need for caution during this period. Expressing concern over the continued risk to public safety, the Pune Rural Police Superintendent urged people to avoid venturing into unfamiliar areas and announced plans to develop preventive measures in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

The Lonavala Rural Police reported previous incidents of drowning in the Pavana Dam, stressing the need for increased vigilance and safety measures. This incident serves as a tragic reminder of the potential dangers during the monsoon season and emphasizes the importance of heeding warnings and taking necessary precautions while visiting such areas.