Body of another youth recovered from Pandavkada waterfall
Navi Mumbai: A four-day long massive search and rescue operation ended on Tuesday after the tragic accidents at the famous Pandavakada Waterfall of Kharghar in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. The rescue team recovered the body of another youth who went missing in the strong current. With this, the extensive search operation that had been going on for four consecutive days ended. Separate incidents over two consecutive days have shocked the entire area and once again highlighted the danger of going near waterfalls and rivers during monsoon.
According to officials, the first incident took place on July 3 (Friday). 20-year-old Mohammad Mobashir Mohammad Shahid, resident of Sagar Vihar Building near Janata Garage, Taloja Phase-1, had come to visit Pandavkara Waterfall with his friends. Due to rain, the water level of the waterfall had increased significantly and the flow of water was extremely fast.
Young man swept away in strong current
According to eyewitnesses, Mohammad Mobashir suddenly got caught in the strong current while roaming near the waterfall. The friends present with him tried to save him, but the flow of water was so strong that he disappeared from sight within a few moments.
As soon as information about the incident was received, local police, fire department, disaster management team and other rescue agencies reached the spot. Search operations were immediately started, but due to bad weather, strong currents and difficult geographical conditions, success could not be achieved in the initial hours.
Second accident occurred during the search
While the search for the young man was still going on, the next day i.e. on 4th July (Saturday), another accident took place at the same waterfall.
According to the information, 19-year-old college student Shannon Gaspar Kini, who was a resident of Santa Cruz area of Mumbai, had come to visit Pandavkada Waterfall with her friends. During this time, she also got caught in the strong current and was swept away in the water.
After this second incident, the challenge before the rescue agencies increased further. The rescue team had to search for two different missing people simultaneously. For this, the scope of the search operation was also increased.
The search operation lasted for four days
Despite continuous rain and strong currents, the rescue team continued the operation for four days. During this time, police, fire department, disaster management team, local administration and trained divers jointly conducted a search operation.
Rescue teams conducted extensive searches in the downstream areas of the river, around rocks, in bushes and in low-lying areas. The help of boats and special equipment was also taken at many places. Potential locations were monitored using drones and other technical means.
During the operation on Tuesday, the rescue team recovered the body of the second missing youth. After this, the search operation that had been going on for four days was ended.
Danger increases during rainy season
Pandavakada Waterfall attracts a large number of tourists during monsoon. However, during heavy rains, the flow of water suddenly becomes very strong, due to which the risk of accidents increases.
Experts say that many times people ignore warning boards and safety instructions and go too close to waterfalls or try to enter the water. In such a situation, the strong current engulfs them.
Administration’s appeal
The local administration and police have appealed to citizens to take special precautions around waterfalls, rivers and reservoirs during monsoon. If entry to any place has been restricted or a warning has been issued, follow it completely.
Officials said that during heavy rains the water level can rise suddenly within minutes, posing a threat to life. Therefore, one should avoid taking any kind of risk for the sake of adventure.
Preparation to tighten security arrangements
In view of such incidents happening continuously, the administration is considering further tightening the security arrangements at Pandavkada Waterfall and other popular tourist places. Plans are being made to deploy additional police forces in sensitive areas, barricade, warn boards and increase surveillance of tourists.
Apart from this, awareness campaigns will also be run to make people remain alert at natural tourist places during monsoon.
Appeal to people to be cautious
After the rescue operation is over, the administration has once again appealed to the people to follow safety instructions before going near any waterfall, river or fast flowing water source during the rainy season. Officials say that even a little carelessness can lead to a major accident.
These tragic accidents that took place in Pandavakada Waterfall for two consecutive days have deeply shocked many families. These incidents are a sobering reminder of the need to follow safety rules and exercise extra vigilance around natural water sources during monsoon tourism.
