Raigad: Over 100 Tourists Rescued After Sudden Rise in Water Level at Zenith Waterfall in Khopoli; Two Missing at Kharghar’s Pandavkada Waterfall
Khopoli (Raigad), 5th July 2026: A major tragedy was averted on Saturday after more than 100 tourists stranded near the popular Zenith Waterfall in Khopoli, Raigad district, were rescued following a sudden rise in the water level caused by heavy rainfall in the surrounding hills. The rescue operation, led by local villagers with support from the Khopoli Fire Brigade and police, lasted nearly three hours.
As it was a weekend, hundreds of tourists had gathered at Zenith Waterfall to enjoy the monsoon. Many had crossed the river to reach the opposite side of the waterfall. However, continuous rainfall in the hilly region caused the water level to rise rapidly, trapping more than 100 tourists at two different locations. The strong current made it impossible for them to return safely.
Sensing the seriousness of the situation, residents of Vihari Thakurwadi rushed to the spot with ropes even before additional emergency teams arrived. Working alongside personnel from the Khopoli Fire Brigade and local police, the villagers carried out a challenging rescue operation. Using ropes, rescuers safely evacuated the stranded tourists one by one despite the fast-flowing water.
The timely intervention of the villagers and emergency responders prevented what could have been a major tragedy. All stranded tourists were rescued safely, with many expressing gratitude to the local residents and rescue teams for their swift response.
Meanwhile, two separate incidents at the popular Pandavkada Waterfall in Kharghar have raised fresh concerns over monsoon tourism safety. Despite a ban on visiting the waterfall during the rainy season, two young men were swept away by the strong current within 24 hours.
The first incident occurred on Friday evening when 20-year-old Mohammad Mubashir Mohammad Shahid, a resident of Taloja, was swept away at around 7:30 pm. While search operations were underway, another incident occurred on Saturday morning at around 8:30 am, when 19-year-old Shennon Gasper Kini, a resident of Santacruz, was also swept away by the powerful flow of water.
Fire brigade teams immediately launched search operations following both incidents. However, despite overnight efforts and extensive searches throughout Saturday, both youths remained missing till late Saturday evening.
Following the back-to-back incidents, the Raigad district administration and local police have urged people to avoid visiting waterfalls and other hazardous locations during the monsoon. Authorities have appealed to tourists not to enter overflowing rivers and streams, avoid taking selfies in dangerous areas, and strictly follow official safety advisories to prevent further accidents.
