A family outing turned tragic when seven members were swept away by the strong currents of a waterfall near the Bhusi Dam in Lonavala, about 50 miles from Mumbai, India on Sunday afternoon, June 30. Heavy rainfall had caused the dam to overflow, intensifying the waterfall’s flow and leading to the accident.
The victims, part of a larger group of tourists, were standing on a rock in the middle of the waterfall, clinging to each other for support. The powerful water currents overpowered them within minutes, dragging them downstream. Terrifying footage of the incident showed the family struggling to stay afloat before disappearing into the turbulent waters.
Local authorities quickly initiated a search and rescue operation. The bodies of three family members were initially recovered: Sahista Liyaqat Ansari, 36; Amima Salman, 13; and Umera Salman, 8.
On Monday, rescue teams found the body of nine-year-old Mariya Ansari, one of the two missing children. The search is still ongoing for the other missing child, four-year-old Adnan Sabhahat Ansari. Two members of the family managed to swim back to safety.
Eyewitnesses described the harrowing scene as the family was swept away. “It happened so fast. One moment they were holding on to each other, and the next, they were gone,” said a local vendor. “The water was just too strong.”
According to local police and news agency PTI, the family had gone to the waterfall for a picnic, a common activity for tourists visiting Lonavala during the monsoon season.
Concerns have been raised about the safety measures in place at the Bhusi Dam and surrounding areas. Video footage from the scene showed numerous tourists sitting on the edge of the dam and its wall as water flowed in, with no visible security arrangements to prevent access to risky areas. “The area needs proper safety measures,” said a local resident. “There are no lifeguards, no warning signs, and people can just walk into the waterfall area.”
The incident has prompted authorities to review security protocols at popular tourist spots like the Bhusi Dam. “We urge tourists to avoid unknown places during the rainy season to prevent such incidents,” said a spokesperson for the Lonavala Police Station. “We are working on increasing safety measures in the area.”
Lonavala, known for its scenic beauty and waterfalls, attracts thousands of tourists every monsoon season. Despite repeated warnings from local authorities about the dangers of entering the water during heavy rains, incidents like this continue to occur. According to a report by the Hindustan Times, there have been 29 drowning deaths at Bhusi Dam since 2017.
“We were all excited about the trip,” said a relative of the Ansari family. “We never imagined something like this could happen.”
As the search for the missing child continues, locals and police are hopeful for a resolution. “We are using all available resources to find them,” said a police official involved in the rescue operations. “We have teams searching the area with ropes and trekking gear, and we will resume at first light.”
The Lonavala Municipal Council and local authorities have been instructed to conduct a survey of the area to identify and implement necessary safety measures. Meanwhile, the community mourns the loss and prays for the safe return of the missing child.