Two MIDC Employees Drown at Devkund Waterfall

A tragic incident occurred on Sunday afternoon at the Devkund Waterfall in Mangaon taluka, Maharashtra, where two employees from Pune's Chakan MIDC lost their lives due to drowning. The victims, Gopal Ramlal Rathod (23) and Vishnu Vilas Dhok (24), were part of a group of 26 employees who had travelled to the waterfall for a monsoon outing.

The group, comprising 20 men and six women, had been warned by police personnel at the Patnus T-point around 12.15 pm that entry to the waterfall had been banned due to the dangerous conditions during the monsoon. Despite the warning, the group allegedly accessed the waterfall through another route and reached the restricted area.

Around 2 pm, Rathod and Dhok entered the water near the base of the waterfall. Preliminary investigation indicates that Dhok, who reportedly could not swim, got into difficulty after entering the deep pool. Rathod is believed to have tried to rescue him, but both were pulled underwater and drowned.

A massive search operation was launched soon after the incident, involving Mangaon police, local villagers, the SVRSS rescue team, and the Shelar Mama Rescue Team. Rescue efforts continued until late Sunday evening but were suspended due to darkness and poor underwater visibility. The operation resumed early Monday with nearly 35 rescuers equipped with specialised diving gear and underwater cameras.

The bodies were located at around 12.30 pm from the nearly 50-foot-deep pool and recovered within minutes before being brought down from the hilly terrain. Police Inspector Sanjay Bangar of Mangaon Police Station stated that personnel had been deployed at the entry point specifically to prevent visitors from accessing Devkund during the monsoon.

Bangar emphasized that the restrictions are imposed solely to save lives, and ignoring them can have fatal consequences. The bodies were sent to the Mangaon Government Hospital for post-mortem examination, and police are carrying out further investigation into the incident.

The Devkund Waterfall, located in Raigad district, is a popular tourist spot, but it can be dangerous during the monsoon season due to strong currents and deep pools. The incident highlights the importance of following safety guidelines and warnings issued by authorities to prevent such tragedies.

The Maharashtra government has been taking steps to improve safety measures at tourist spots, including the deployment of police personnel and rescue teams. However, it is also important for visitors to be aware of the risks and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.

In recent years, there have been several incidents of drowning and accidents at tourist spots in Maharashtra, particularly during the monsoon season. The state government has been working to improve infrastructure and safety measures at these spots, but it is also important for visitors to be responsible and follow safety guidelines.

The incident is a reminder of the importance of safety and responsible behaviour at tourist spots, particularly during the monsoon season. It is crucial for visitors to be aware of the risks and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety, and for authorities to continue to improve safety measures and enforce guidelines to prevent such tragedies.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves among the families and friends of the victims, and it is a reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety and responsible behaviour at tourist spots. The incident will be investigated further, and authorities will take necessary steps to prevent such tragedies in the future.

In conclusion, the incident at Devkund Waterfall is a tragic reminder of the importance of safety and responsible behaviour at tourist spots. It is crucial for visitors to be aware of the risks and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety, and for authorities to continue to improve safety measures and enforce guidelines to prevent such tragedies.