Lonavala, Maharashtra, July 1: In a tragic incident on Sunday afternoon, four members of a Pune family, including three children, drowned in a waterfall near the Bhushi Dam in Lonavala. The victims were identified as Ameena Salman (13), Umera Salman (8), Shahista Liyakat Ansari (37), and Mariya Akil Sayyad (9). One child, Adnan Sabhahat Ansari (4), remains missing despite extensive search efforts by local authorities.
The family, residents of Hadapsar’s Sayyad Nagar area, had visited Lonavala for a picnic along with relatives. According to reports, heavy rainfall in the region led to an unexpected surge in the waterfall’s flow, sweeping away ten individuals around 3 pm. While five were rescued, the others were carried into the reservoir connected to the dam.
Inspector Suhas Jagtap from Lonavala city police station stated, “The incident occurred when some family members were playing in the water. The sudden increase in water flow due to heavy rain caught them off guard.”
Efforts to locate the missing child are ongoing, with the bodies of the deceased undergoing postmortem examinations. Authorities have urged the public to avoid risky areas during monsoon and cooperate with safety measures implemented by officials.
The spot where the tragedy occurred falls under the jurisdiction of the Indian Railways and Forest Department. Measures to prevent such incidents in the future are being planned in collaboration with these departments.
The heartbreaking incident has prompted local authorities to enhance safety protocols in popular tourist spots during the monsoon season.
