MUMBAI: At least five people, including four children, were swept away and drowned in a sudden, heavy flow of rainwater at a waterfall in Pune’s Lonavala, near the Bhushi dam.

The heartbreaking incident took place near the backwater of Bhusi Dam on Sunday afternoon around 1:30 p.m., following which a rescue operation was launched. The waterfall is located behind the Railway’s rest house near the dam.

Pune Rural Superintendent of Police (SP) Pankaj Deshmukh said that search operations were underway at the spot to trace the missing persons.

Late in the evening, news agency ANI reported that one more body had been recovered and the rescue operation had been called off for the day.

According to police, 16-17 members of a family from Sayyad Nagar in Pune’s Hadapsar area had hired a private bus to go to a scenic spot near Lonavala for a picnic on a rainy day.

Police identified the deceased as Shahista Liaqat Ansari (36), Amima Adil Ansari (13) and Umera Adil Ansari (8).

Adnan Sabhahat Ansari (4) and Mariya Aqil Ansari (9) are still missing, the official said.

A search party fished their bodies out of the reservoir below.

Shocking footage of the incident shows a group of people, including those who lost their lives, being swept away by rushing water caused by heavy rainfall in the region.

According to police, continuous rainfall in the Lonavala region since early morning led to the overflow of the Bhushi Dam, which is a popular tourist spot, which ultimately increased the flow of waterfalls.

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

As the monsoon season begins, thousands of tourists flock to the Bhushi and Pavana dams, often ignoring warnings from police and local authorities to avoid unfamiliar areas.

A police officer estimated that over 50,000 people visited Lonavala on Sunday.

“This is a tragic incident. Despite numerous warnings, people continue to venture into dangerous areas in the mountainous terrain above the Bhushi Dam. Today, many partygoers were under waterfalls in the Bhushi Dam region, ignoring warnings,” he said.

He added that as the monsoon season progresses, the number of visitors will increase.

Pune Rural Police Superintendent urged the public not to risk their lives while exploring unknown areas in Lonavala, Khandala and Pavana dam region.

“The area where the incident took place and the area around the Bhushi dam come under the jurisdiction of Indian Railways and the Forest Department. We will convene a meeting with all stakeholders to chalk out measures to prevent such incidents,” he said.

Meanwhile, the tranquil area around the Pavana dam in Lonavala has also been hit by a series of tragic drownings, prompting urgent action to boost security in the area. Local authorities, including the police and irrigation department, have expressed concern that tourists are ignoring warning signs and venturing into dangerous waters.

According to Lonavala Rural Police, four people have drowned in the Pavana dam since January 2024.

The Vanyajeev Rakshak Maval rescue organisation said it had recovered 27 bodies from various water bodies in Maval tehsil between March and May this year.

(With tips from PTI and ANI)