In a heartbreaking incident at Bhushi Dam, the bodies of a 36-year-old woman and two girls, aged 13 and 8, were discovered in the backwater on Sunday afternoon. Authorities are currently engaged in a search operation for a nine-year-old boy and a four-year-old girl.
The victims have been identified as Sahista Liyaqat Ansari (36), Amima Salman (13), Umera Salman (8), Adnan Ansari (4), and Maria Ansari (9).
The tragedy unfolded when the Ansari family, visiting the popular tourist spot, was caught in a sudden surge of water following heavy rainfall in the region over recent days. Ten family members were swept away in the strong current around 1:30 p.m. Out of them, five managed to escape while the others were tragically carried away.
Upon receiving the alert, local authorities promptly dispatched search and rescue teams to the scene. They successfully recovered the bodies of the woman and two girls from the dam’s backwater, but efforts are ongoing to locate the missing children.
Senior Police Inspector Suhas Jagtap from Lonavala Police Station emphasized the dangers posed by unfamiliar areas during the monsoon season and urged tourists to exercise caution. He appealed for cooperation with police instructions, particularly around Bhushi Dam and other nearby attractions including Tata Dam, Tungarli Dam, and Rajmachi Point.
The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the hazards of visiting waterfalls and dams during periods of heavy rain, underscoring the need for vigilance and adherence to safety guidelines in such environments.