5 Dead as Tourists Swept Away in Strong Current at Lonavala Waterfall Near Bhushi Dam

Pune: At least 5 members of a family including 4 children were drowned after being swept away due to sudden strong flow of water at a waterfall in Lonavala near Bhushi Dam due to heavy downpour. The incident occurred close to the backwater of the dam on Sunday afternoon. Confirming the incident, the Lonavala police stated that the incident occurred at around 1.30 pm, following which a rescue operation was initiated.

A senior police official said that the incident happened around 1.30 pm, after which search and rescue teams of police, concerned authorities and local volunteers rushed to the spot. Pune Rural Superintendent of Police (SP) Pankaj Deshmukh said, a search operation is being carried out at the site to trace the missing persons.

Rescue Operation is Underway to Trace Missing Persons

"We have recovered the bodies of a 40-year-old woman and a 13-year-old girl. Three children including two 6-year-old girls and a 4-year-old boy are missing in the incident. It seems they are part of a family and slipped into a waterfall some two kilometres away from Bhushi Dam and drowned at the reservoir downstream," news agency PTI quoted SP Deshmukh as saying.

The waterfall is located behind the Railway’s rest house near the dam.

According to the police, continuous rainfall in the Lonavala region since early morning has led to the overflow of the Bhushi Dam, which is a well known tourist hotspot, eventually increasing the flow of waterfalls.

The Lonavala police further said they have deployed several teams, including the local trekkers, who are well-versed in the terrain, to search for the missing children.

WATCH VIDEO: 

The identities of those who are feared drowned are yet to be confirmed, the police added.

The police are also taking legal action into the incident.