Lonavala Waterfall Tragedy : The lessons which are never learnt.
All along the Western Ghats and Sahyadri Range; there is no, so called "Low Risk Waterfall" at peak of Monsoon. Situation can change in fraction of seconds. Be Safe. Don't be the next victim.
In a very tragic incident yesterday afternoon, at the very popular Hill Station of Lonavala near Pune in Maharashtra; 5 people from the same family belonging to Pune; lost their lives, after being swept away at a Waterfall, close to Bhushi Dam.
There are numerous Waterfalls in the state of Goa, the most popular ones being in South of the state.
During Monsoon season, thousands of tourists, not only from the state, but from nearby states visit these waterfalls, specially on weekends.
The lure of a weekend out in Monsoon, at Goa and having fun at a Waterfall, is too irresistible, for almost all.
While thankfully, so far this year, there has not been any tragedy in the state, due to early proactive call by the government to close the dangerous waterfalls; the fact of matter is , it's just start of the season.
Last year, the visits to waterfalls in Goa was banned after 5 deaths happened at abandoned quarries, ponds and waterfalls.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/goa-forest-department-bans-entry-to-waterfalls-in-wildlife-sanctuaries-after-fatalities-101689146324040.html
On a tragic Sunday, last year July; two people died at the same waterfall. So season is just beginning.
https://www.heraldgoa.in/Videos/Two-tragically-drown-at-Mainapi-Waterfall-on-Sunday/207290
The most shocking thing came just 6 days after, when thousands of tourists descended at the World famous Dudhsagar Waterfalls, hundreds of them walking treachourosly along the railway tracks, the entry to which was banned, long way back.
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/goa/goa-hundreds-walking-along-rail-tracks-reach-dudhsagar-falls-stopped-officials-8842355/
In an age, when Social Media rules the lives of almost all people; it is impossible to be governed by "reason" and "commonsense".
The video of the Lonavala tragedy clearly shows the fact that, when the "Ansari Family" reached that particular spot; the water flow there would have been bare minimum and they had clear access to get even small 6 year old kids to that spot (who tragically died).
The reason for their misadventure?
Well, it's easy guess, being in the middle of till then dormant water fall, would have provided them an opportunity to take very scenic photographs and reels, both from the ridge side and downhill side.
https://x.com/saurabhkoratkar/status/1807451297349587345
Having no "situational awareness" , they must have believed that this is a very "Low Risk Waterfall" and shall remain so and thus a safe spot.
Benign to the fact that, upstream, even a small landslide or a simple of cloud burst, would change the scenario in a fraction of seconds.
With very heavy gush of waters, stuck in the middle, far away from the edges; they had no chance and neither did the kids.
Waterfalls have been categorised in 3 categories:
Low Risk: Calm and shallow water, easily accessible location, stable surrounding terrain, lifeguards present.
Medium Risk: Moderate water flow, some slippery rocks or uneven terrain, requires caution while wading or swimming.
High Risk: Powerful currents, deep pools, steep cliffs, difficult or unmarked access trails.
There are two things to note here is that, with the change in climate and vagaries of nature, happening all around us and globally; one can't predict really, that whether a seemingly benign "Low Risk" Waterfall, would always remain so?
No one knows what is happening at the upstream of that particular waterfall, what dangerous climatic and natural events are unfolding.
The Second thing to note here is that, Tourists who arrived to visit the waterfall, do so, after scanning the photographs, reels and videos.
Who wants to visit a seemingly dull and boring place, which is devoid of "good reels" or "good shots".
So while even, "Low Risk Waterfalls" are also not completely safe; for the so called once a year "thrill" people are inherently drawn to risky places; unknown to the fact that climate and nature is changing, every second.
Even though there are ample resources available on the web, of what precautions to take and how to be safe during a waterfall visit; everyone is worrying about how to take the best shot or make the best reels; which would garner most LIKE; and not of their own and their family's safety.
Lonavala Waterfall Tragedy is of an epic proportions; because the kids who died, would have had the implicit faith, that what their parents are doing is right and safe, and that they would be totally safe, around them. Their faith was utterly broken and they paid with their lives, due to it.
It's not even imaginable, what horrors they would have faced, through the last 45 odd minutes; which is clearly visible in the videos.
https://vimeo.com/336653936
This is a very good resource, to read and imbibed, before one decides to venture out for a fun weekend at any Waterfall. Even, if it is of a so called "Low Risk".
https://www.waterfallkeepersofnc.org/looking-out-for-waterfallers/
At peak Monsoon, there is no as such, "Low Risk Waterfall".
David Casey, with Pisgah National Forest, sums up safety advice by stating that we should all “have situational awareness.”
In other words, slow down, look around, pay attention, think!
Often, accidents occur because people don’t fully realize the hazards.
Safety is not just something you read about; it’s something you do.
As writing this post breaks the heart of the author; How it is Wished, the Ansari Family would have read the above article, before venturing out to Lonavala and that precarious waterfall. But, surely you can do, and prompt others to do so.
Safety First, And Always. Don't be the next victim.
https://open.substack.com/pub/99goa/p/no-control-on-adventure-tourist-operators-in-goa