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Pune Administration Issues Monsoon Guidelines For Tourists After Lonavala waterfall Mishap

Pune district administration issued travel guidelines following tragic deaths of a mother and four children at a waterfall near Bhushi Dam in Lonavala. Authorities are conducting safety surveys and implementing measures at tourist spots in Western Ghats.

Hitakshi Bachchani

Updated Jul 2, 2024, 21:03 IST

Family swept away in Lonavala Bhushi Dam!

Photo : PTI

Pune: In light of the monsoon, the Pune district administration has released travel guidelines. This comes after a mother and four children died in a waterfall close to Bhushi Dam in Lonavala.

The five—a woman and four children—drowned at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, with three of their bodies retrieved later and the body of a girl discovered on Monday morning, according to an official.

The deaths of Shahista Liaqat Ansari (36), Amina Adil Ansari (13), and Umera Adil Ansari (8) were discovered by rescuers several hours after search and rescue operations began on Sunday afternoon. Police, Navy divers, and other rescue personnel resumed the search on Monday, recovering Mariya Ansari's (9) body from a reservoir.

Collector Suhas Divase directed authorities on Monday to undertake a survey to identify potential risks and implement appropriate safety measures for visitors visiting the Western Ghats areas of Maval, Mulshi, Khed, Junnar, Bhor, Velha, and Ambegaon, according to an official.

"Divase directed district officials to inspect picnic sites such as rivers, lakes, dams, waterfalls, forts, and woodland regions for safety precautions. He requested that warning boards be used to demarcate restricted locations. The places that are disaster-prone and where safety measures cannot be implemented must be closed to tourists," he stated.

During the monsoon season, a great number of visitors visit Bhushi, Pavana Dam, Lonavala, Sinhgad, Malshej, and Tamhini Ghats.

"Agencies such as revenue, forest, railways, municipal corporations, and PWD should deploy divers, rescue boats, lifeguards, and life jackets in tourist-friendly water bodies. Divase also requested that the district administration involve non-governmental organizations, rescue foundations, trekkers, and villagers," the official said.

Visitors will not be allowed to visit such areas in forests after 6 p.m., Divase added.

With PTI Inputs

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