Pune: 300 Trekkers Rescued After Sudden Flooding in Malshej Ghat’s Kalu River Due to Heavy Rainfall

Pune, 28th July 2025: In a dramatic rescue operation that lasted over seven hours on Saturday, forest officials and villagers saved around 300 stranded trekkers — including approximately 100 women — from the forested terrain near Kalu River in the Malshej Ghat region after a sharp rise in water levels following torrential rainfall.

The incident occurred near Waghachi Wadi, along the Thane-Pune border close to the Kalyan-Ahilyanagar highway, around 150 km from Pune. According to officials, the region recorded nearly 200 mm of rain in just three hours, leading to a sudden and dangerous surge in the river’s flow.

Zipline Rescue After Water Rises Unexpectedly
The trekkers, who had arrived early in the day from cities like Pune, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, were caught off-guard by the rapid weather change and rising river. Forest departments from Thane and Junnar swung into action after the state disaster management authority and local administration received distress calls around 3 PM. The rescue continued until 10 PM under challenging conditions.

Local volunteers played a critical role in the operation. Bhaskar Mengal (24), a resident of Moroshi village and one of the first responders, swam through the turbulent river currents to secure ropes and build a makeshift zipline system.

“There was no other way to reach them. I had to swim across and anchor the ropes to trees,” Mengal said. “The tourists were frightened. We explained how to use the zipline and started with the women. We guided them across one by one. Later, other villagers and forest guards joined the effort.”

Officials Say Tourists Ignored Warnings
Rajvardhan Bhosale, Range Forest Officer from Tokavade (Thane district), stated that the trekkers had entered a dense, restricted forest zone without seeking help from locals or checking weather conditions.
“They were unaware of how risky the area becomes during heavy rainfall. The Kalu River can swell rapidly, turning a regular trek into a life-threatening situation,” he said.

Assistant Forest Officer of Junnar division, Smita Rajhans, emphasized that a growing number of monsoon tourists are influenced by viral social media videos, often neglecting basic safety measures.

“People come from across Maharashtra and other states but don’t hire local guides or follow safety protocols. The terrain is unpredictable and home to dangerous wildlife, including leopards and venomous snakes,” she said.

Locals Urge Stricter Protocols at Kalu Waterfall
The Kalu Waterfall, located in Khireshwar village within the Junnar tehsil, is one of the region’s tallest waterfalls at approximately 1,200 feet. It attracts large crowds during the monsoon, especially from Mumbai and Pune.

However, local residents have raised concerns about inadequate safety regulations and repeated instances of tourists venturing into risky areas.
“There have been several fatalities over the years,” said a local. “People are lured by online videos and underestimate the dangers. We need stricter entry controls and awareness drives.”

Forest officials have urged the public to avoid trekking in reserved forest zones during the monsoon and to coordinate with local authorities for their safety.