The serene surroundings of the Pavana Dam in Lonavala have been marred by a series of tragic drownings, prompting urgent calls for enhanced safety measures in the region.
The latest incidents involve the heartbreaking losses of 20-year-old Manish Shankar Sharma in January and 18-year-old Adwait Verma in June, both succumbing to the waters of the reservoir.
These unfortunate events are part of a disturbing trend of drownings that have plagued the Pavana Dam area, drawing attention to the need for improved safety protocols. Local authorities, including the police and the irrigation department, have expressed concerns over tourists ignoring warning signs and venturing into dangerous waters.
Senior Police Inspector Kishor Dhumal emphasised the importance of preventive measures, such as increasing police presence, installing metal fencing, deploying more lifeguards, and marking danger zones with visible signs.
"Anticipating the influx of tourists during the monsoon, we convene meetings with police Patils from over 20 villages around the dam. We instruct them to prevent tourists from entering the water bodies. We also direct camping sites and resorts to restrain their guests from approaching the water," Dhumal told PTI.
Police-Patils are village-level personnel, appointed by the concerned collector, who assist the police in maintaining law and order in rural areas.
The officer said drownings occur because victims fail to gauge the water's depth.
"The responsibility for safety measures lies with the irrigation department. We have suggested several measures, including installing metal fencing around the waterfront, deploying more lifeguards, and providing a patrolling boat equipped with rescue teams," he said. He also emphasised the need to mark danger zones with floating red signs to deter tourists from venturing into hazardous areas.
However, challenges remain, including manpower constraints and the vast perimeter of the dam, making it difficult to monitor every inch of the area effectively.