Guwahati, July 1: A family trip to a waterfall turned tragic as seven people were swept away by rising water amid heavy rainfall. The incident took place on Sunday afternoon in a water body near Bhushi Dam in Lonavala, located approximately 80 km from Mumbai.
Reports indicate that family members of Liyaqat Ansari and Yunus Khan from Hadapsar, Pune, reached the popular picnic spot with other relatives.
However, due to the sudden rise in the water, seven people became stuck amid the gushing waters. Only two of them managed to swim back and were saved.
Terrifying visuals of the incident showed them standing on a rock in the middle of the falls, holding on to each other and hoping to move against the tide. In less than a minute, the sheer force of the rushing water overpowered them and swept them away downstream as they screamed for help.
Three bodies have been recovered so far. They are identified as Sahista Liyaqat Ansari (36), Amima Adil Ansari (13), and Umesh Adil Ansari (8). Police and rescue teams have reached the spot. Two others who are missing are Adnan Sabahat Ansari (4) and Mariya Akil Saiyyad (9).
There were more than hundred tourists near the waterbody when the incident occurred, but no one could help the family. Heavy rains in the region since early morning caused the dam to overflow, increasing the flow of water in the waterfall which caused the incident.
