Pune: Senior Citizen Swept Away While Crossing Flooded Weir on Motorcycle Near Uruli Kanchan; Search Operation Underway
Uruli-kanchan, 4th August 2026: A senior citizen was swept away along with his motorcycle after attempting to cross a flooded Kolhapur-type weir on the Mula-Mutha River near Koregaon Mul, close to Uruli Kanchan, on Monday evening. The dramatic incident, captured on camera, has gone viral on social media, raising fresh concerns over safety at submerged river crossings during the monsoon.
The missing man has been identified as Gangadhar Sahebrao Gote (approximately 63), a resident of Bivari. As of late Monday night, search operations were still underway.
According to officials and local residents, the incident occurred between 6 pm and 6:15 pm when nearly one foot of water was flowing rapidly over the weir due to heavy flooding in the Mula-Mutha River. Despite the dangerous conditions, Gote attempted to cross the submerged structure on his motorcycle. The strong current caused him to lose balance, sweeping both him and the vehicle into the river.
Local villagers rushed to the spot and immediately launched a search operation. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Fire Brigade, and other disaster management agencies later joined the rescue efforts. However, officials said the swift current and rising water level were hampering search operations.
The incident has sparked outrage among local residents, who alleged that police and other authorities reached the spot after a delay. They also pointed out that videos showing water flowing over the same weir had circulated on social media in recent days, warning of the hazardous conditions.
Residents claimed that despite repeated warnings, adequate safety measures had not been put in place. They have demanded permanent barricades and warning systems at the weir, a complete ban on vehicular movement whenever floodwater overtops the structure during the monsoon, and an inquiry into the incident to fix responsibility for any lapses.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of attempting to cross submerged roads and weirs during the monsoon season, as authorities continue to urge the public to avoid such crossings even when the water appears shallow.
