The Minister's warning came even as rescue agencies were involved in a major operation to trace the bodies of two minor children, among the five victims who were suddenly swept away while frolicking in a waterfall upstream of the Bhushi Dam. , a popular tourist attraction during the monsoon.
Patil said people, in their excitement of adventure, enter the waters without realizing the possible danger lurking there and such tragedies occur.
On Sunday afternoon, around 18 people from the Khan and Ansari families of Syed Nagar in Hadapsar who had gone on a picnic to Lonavali had unknowingly ventured into the cool waterfalls gushing in a secluded jungle area upstream of the Bhushi Dam.
At least 10 people from the two families were swept away by the sudden rise in water due to heavy rains that lashed the regions for the past three days.
While five people were rescued with ropes, the other five perished, of which the bodies of three victims have been recovered so far.
Patil said the state chief secretary will reach out to collectors of all districts of the state to take appropriate measures to prevent such incidents and, if necessary, prohibit entry into accident-prone places.
Raising the issue in the Legislature, state Congress Speaker Nana F. Patole criticized the government for not taking adequate measures to prevent such tragedies and improve facilities at such tourist places.
“There have been many similar incidents in the past, but the government ignores them. What steps has the government taken to prevent this from happening again, except making promises,” asked Patole.
Last night, the Lonavala police and city authorities appealed to the hordes of tourists who thronged there to enjoy the waters of the dam not to risk their lives by venturing into unexplored areas.
The authorities especially warned against the backwaters and upstream of Bhushi Dam, Ghubad Lake, Tata Dam, Rajmachi Point, Khandala, Kunegaon, Kurwande, Tungarli Dam and other potentially dangerous places that attract large number of tourists, especially on weekends.
Patil said people, in their excitement of adventure, enter the waters without realizing the possible danger lurking there and such tragedies occur.
On Sunday afternoon, around 18 people from the Khan and Ansari families of Syed Nagar in Hadapsar who had gone on a picnic to Lonavali had unknowingly ventured into the cool waterfalls gushing in a secluded jungle area upstream of the Bhushi Dam.
At least 10 people from the two families were swept away by the sudden rise in water due to heavy rains that lashed the regions for the past three days.
While five people were rescued with ropes, the other five perished, of which the bodies of three victims have been recovered so far.
Patil said the state chief secretary will reach out to collectors of all districts of the state to take appropriate measures to prevent such incidents and, if necessary, prohibit entry into accident-prone places.
Raising the issue in the Legislature, state Congress Speaker Nana F. Patole criticized the government for not taking adequate measures to prevent such tragedies and improve facilities at such tourist places.
“There have been many similar incidents in the past, but the government ignores them. What steps has the government taken to prevent this from happening again, except making promises,” asked Patole.
Last night, the Lonavala police and city authorities appealed to the hordes of tourists who thronged there to enjoy the waters of the dam not to risk their lives by venturing into unexplored areas.
The authorities especially warned against the backwaters and upstream of Bhushi Dam, Ghubad Lake, Tata Dam, Rajmachi Point, Khandala, Kunegaon, Kurwande, Tungarli Dam and other potentially dangerous places that attract large number of tourists, especially on weekends.
