Tragic Picnic Turned Fatal: Young Woman Drowns in Maharashtra Waterfall

A family outing turned to tragedy when a 22-year-old woman drowned in a waterfall in Raigad district, Maharashtra, amid heavy rains on Wednesday. Swapnali Kshirsagar was swept away while enjoying a day at Zenith waterfall, located approximately 70 kilometers from Mumbai.

The family, consisting of seven members—including three sisters, a brother, a son-in-law, and two children—were drawn to the natural beauty of the area when a sudden surge in water flow struck. Witnesses reported that, although three family members managed to escape the rising waters, four were left stranded.

Following an extensive search lasting over an hour, authorities recovered Kshirsagar's body about 2.5 kilometers downstream from the waterfall. Local police have registered an accidental death report regarding the incident. An investigating officer noted that the family had been warned on two separate occasions about the dangers of visiting the waterfall during the rainy season.

A fellow tourist, Ganesh Koli, described the perilous conditions, explaining how the heavy rainfall caused water to overflow from all directions. As the family attempted to navigate the area, two members were swept away. A young boy managed to hold onto safety chains and was pulled to safety by a local resident, but Kshirsagar was not as fortunate.

Koli took action by notifying local social organizations, which quickly organized a rescue operation. Gurunath Sathelkar, founder of Help Foundation, confirmed that while two women were rescued from the surrounding water, Kshirsagar had already been taken by the current. He emphasized the presence of QR codes around the waterfall, intended for visitors to seek assistance during emergencies.

This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of natural attractions, especially during inclement weather.