A family picnic in Lonavala took a tragic turn for a Pune-based family when three members passed away after drowning in a waterfall behind the Bhushi Dam on Sunday. The remaining two members of the family are still missing. A chilling video circulating online shows how the family of five was swept away due to a gushing current of water. The authorities will continue searching for the remaining two family members on Monday as the search operations were halted on Sunday due to heavy rainfall.
3 Family Members Drown In Waterfall & 2 Missing At Bhushi Dam, Lonavala
5 members of a family drown in Bushi Dam in Lonavala.
Every year we get to see such videos..can’t entirely blame authorities for this..
Be little responsible and enjoy monsoon 🙏🏻
— Trupti Garg (@garg_trupti) June 30, 2024
Tragedy struck a Pune-based family of five on Sunday while having a picnic at a waterfall near Bhushi Dam, Lonavala. Three members of the family passed away after drowning in a waterfall in Lonavala, two of them were minors. Furthermore, as per a report in Mint, two children are still missing. The unfortunate incident happened around 12:30 PM on June 30.
The incident was captured in a video by onlookers at the waterfall. The video shows the family being swept away by heavy water flow caused by intense rainfall in the area. As per Mint’s report, the victims have been identified as Shahista Ansari (36), Amima Ansari (13), and Umera Ansari (8). The two missing people are Adnan Ansari (4) and Maria Sayyad (9).
The family, reportedly, hails from the Sayyad Nagar area of Pune City. As per the police, around 16-17 family members had hired a private bus to visit the waterfall in Lonavala for a picnic on Sunday. While talking to Mint, the police further stated that some members of the family got too close to the waterfall and were swept away by the strong currents.
People Continue To Venture Into Hazardous Areas, Despite Warnings
The Lonavala Police teamed with the emergency services to start a rescue operation for the remaining two members of the family who drowned in Lonavala. They involved divers and rescue teams as well in the search but had to halt the operation on Sunday due to heavy rainfall. They will continue to look for the missing children on Monday.
The local authorities have, time and again, urged caution in these areas to prevent tragedies. According to an NDTV report, thousands of visitors visit the Bhushi and Pavana dam regions in the monsoon season. While enjoying the beauty of the area, people often disregard warnings from the police and local authorities and visit unknown areas and venture into hazardous regions. People often ignore the police’s warning and stand by the waterfall despite the heavy water current in the monsoon.
We extend our condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. We also hope that the rescue team is able to find the missing children safe and sound.
Cover Image Courtesy: X/@garg_trupti
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