Landslides Trigger Temporary Closure of Shivneri Fort and Popular Tourist Spots Amid Heavy Rain

Junnar, 7th July 2026: Continuous heavy rainfall over the past two days has triggered multiple landslides at Shivneri Fort, the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, forcing authorities to temporarily close the historic fort and several nearby tourist destinations in Junnar taluka as a precautionary measure.

According to officials, three separate incidents of landslides and soil erosion were reported on Monday and Tuesday at different locations within the fort premises. The affected areas include the Ganesh Gate, Hathi Gate, and the road leading to the Shivai Devi Temple, where rainwater and loose soil have made access unsafe.

In response, the Forest Department has imposed a temporary ban on the entry of tourists and devotees to Shivneri Fort until the intensity of the rainfall subsides. The department said the decision was taken to ensure the safety of visitors as further landslides cannot be ruled out if heavy rain continues.

The entry restrictions have also been extended to several other tourist destinations in western Junnar, including Chavand Fort, Jivdhan Fort, Hadsar Fort, Nimgiri Fort, the Amboli Waterfall at Daryaghat, Kanchan Waterfall at Hatwij, and the Reverse Waterfall at Naneghat.

Forest Range Officer Pradeep Chavan appealed to the public to cooperate with the authorities and avoid visiting restricted locations during the monsoon. He warned that strict action would be taken against anyone violating the entry ban or disregarding safety instructions.

Officials said continuous rainfall has increased the risk of rockfalls and soil erosion across the region, making preventive measures essential to avoid accidents.

Meanwhile, Rajendra Bhagat, President of the Shivai Devi Devasthan Trust, urged the state government to immediately allocate funds for preventive and protective works at Shivneri Fort. He said permanent measures are needed to reduce the risk of landslides during the monsoon and ensure the safety of devotees and tourists visiting the historic site.

Authorities have advised tourists to postpone travel plans to the affected destinations until weather conditions improve and restrictions are lifted. The administration is closely monitoring the situation and will review the closure based on rainfall and safety assessments.