Two Young Lives Lost in Pune: Drowning Tragedies Strike Kasarsai Dam and Dhurnali Waterfall
Beach Visit Ends in Tragedy as Pune’s Man Drowns at Tarkarli
Pune witnessed a somber Sunday as two young lives were lost in separate drowning incidents at popular monsoon spots—Kasarsai Dam in Mulshi and Dhurnali Waterfall in Junnar. The victims, aged 19 and 21, were part of groups visiting these scenic sites, turning a day of leisure into one of devastating loss.
The first incident occurred around 11 am on Sunday when 19-year-old Santosh Shahaji Raut, a fitness trainer from Pune who originally hailed from Beed district, drowned at Kasarsai Dam. Raut, who lived in Sane Colony, Chikhali and worked at a gym in Akurdi, had gone on an outing with four friends. According to police reports, the group entered the dam’s backwaters for a swim. Two of the friends who couldn’t swim began to struggle, and while one managed to survive, Raut ventured into deeper water and was unable to stay afloat.
“Three people from the group started to drown—two of them managed to get back to safety, but Raut was swept into deeper waters and disappeared,” said Senior Police Inspector Vishal Patil from Shirgaon police station. Despite immediate efforts, Raut could not be located on Sunday. Rescue operations were called in, involving local trekker groups and wildlife volunteers from Shivdurga Mitra in Lonavala and Vanyajeev Rakshak Sanstha from Maval. The search had to be halted due to darkness but resumed the next morning. His body was finally recovered around 11 am on Monday, marking the end of a 24-hour rescue operation.
In a second, unrelated incident later that same day, Zahirali Saraju Ansari, a 21-year-old from Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh, drowned at Dhurnali Waterfall in Junnar around 4 pm. Ansari, who worked at a vehicle repair garage in Narayangaon, had gone to the waterfall with friends for a weekend trip. According to Otur police, while standing near the lake at the base of the waterfall, he slipped accidentally into the water. Despite attempts to save himself, he was unable to swim and drowned before help could reach him.
“Ansari was at the edge of the lake when he lost his balance and fell in. He couldn’t swim and was pulled under before his friends or locals could intervene,” said an officer from the Otur police station. His body was later retrieved by nearby residents who joined in the search.
Both incidents have raised concerns over safety measures at such tourist sites during the monsoon season, a time when natural water bodies become particularly treacherous due to strong currents and slippery surfaces. While these places draw large crowds looking to enjoy nature, they often lack adequate signage, lifeguards, or barriers to prevent accidents.
As rescue teams, friends, and families grapple with the heartbreaking loss, these incidents serve as a grim reminder of the unpredictable dangers that lurk beneath the serene surface of such destinations. Authorities are once again urging tourists to exercise extreme caution while visiting waterfalls, dams, and lakes during the rainy season.
