In a heartbreaking incident during the sacred Shravan Kawad Yatra, two 18-year-old youths from Nalasopara drowned in the Tungareshwar River, raising urgent safety concerns during pilgrimage season.
Two Friends, One Tragic End
On the auspicious occasion of Shravani Somwar, a group of 7-8 young devotees from Santosh Bhavan, Nalasopara, joined the traditional Kawad Yatra to the Tungareshwar Temple, a well-known pilgrimage site near Vasai.
The victims, Sachin Yadav and Himanshu Vishwakarma, both aged 18, were among the group. During a break near the river along the Tungareshwar trek, Sachin stepped into the water to wash his feet. Unfortunately, he slipped and was quickly swept away by the current.
Seeing his friend struggle, Himanshu jumped in to rescue him—but tragically, both drowned.
A third friend also attempted a rescue and began to drown but was miraculously saved by others on the scene.
Rescue Operation and Police Report
As soon as the Pelhar Police were informed about the Tungareshwar River drowning, they launched a rescue operation with assistance from the fire brigade. Sadly, by the time the bodies were recovered and taken to Pelhar Galaxy Hospital, both boys had succumbed to drowning.
Police have officially registered the incident and have reiterated safety warnings to all pilgrims.
“We continuously issue warnings advising devotees not to bathe or enter the river during the Yatra. Despite repeated alerts, some individuals ignore these instructions, leading to such tragic events.”
— Jitendra Vankoti, Senior Police Inspector, Pelhar Police Station
Tungareshwar Forest Area Closed to Tourists
Following the Tungareshwar River drowning, officials have once again imposed restrictions on tourism activities in the Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. While bathing or washing in the river is prohibited, the influx of devotees during Shravan month continues to rise.
Despite clear signs and police advisories at multiple points, many pilgrims still enter the river for rituals or bathing—putting themselves at serious risk.
A Call for Responsible Devotion
This tragic loss of two young lives is a stark reminder of the importance of following safety protocols during religious events. Authorities urge devotees to avoid entering water bodies during such high-risk times and remain vigilant during treks and yatras.
VasaiCity.com continues to report on local developments, from pilgrimage safety to community stories. Read our related article on Monsoon Safety Guidelines in Vasai for more insights.
