Your 'unruliness' makes these dams deadly

Bhushi dam is one of the most popular destinations in Lonavla, but it has also earned the dubious distinction of recording the highest number of deaths due to drowning, especially during the monsoon season.

According to the Lonavla police, the major reason behind deaths is the unruly behaviour of the visitors.

Apart from Bhushi, Pavana and Mulshi dams have also recorded deaths due to drowning.

Past four years have seen 49 people lose their lives due to drowning in the three dams.
However, Bhushi tops the list with 27 deaths in the past four years.

Police inspector Vishnu Pawar of Lonavla city police station said, “There is huge rush at the dam on weekends. There are more than 15,000 vehicles in the area over the weekends. Besides, many visitors travel to the dam via local trains. During the weekends this year, we have decided to deploy more than 20 police personnel in the area.”

“People do not pay heed to the instructions given by the police. There are strict instructions not to climb the cliff, but visitors continue to climb the cliff against the waterfall. During heavy rains, the flow of water on the cliff is very strong, but the visitors hardly bother. Several signboards have been put up in the area cautioning visitors not to climb the cliff,” he added.

Citing other reasons, inspector Mohan Jadhav of Lonavla rural police station, said, “Deaths due to drowning takes place as the visitors try to swim in the backwaters despite being unaware of the depth.”

Helpline
02114 - 273033
Lonavla city police station

02114- 273036
Lonavla rural police station

020 – 25671962/ 26657171
Pune rural control