33 lives lost in drowing incidents in May and June in Nashik, Kolhapur and Sangli

Nashik/ Kolhapur: Drowning incidents across various dams in Nashik district have claimed 12 lives, including that of three minors, during May and June this year so far. In Kolhapur and Sangli districts, 21 people have drowned over the past month alone.In Nashik district, the latest tragedy occurred on Thursday, when three minors and their elder sister drowned in the Gangapur Dam. This follows another fatal incident in May, where four individuals from Nashik Road lost their lives at Kashyapi Dam.According to a senior officer from the Nashik District Disaster Management Office, the number of drowning deaths in these prohibited areas has reached 17 since January 2026.

This marks a sharp increase compared to the same period in previous years, which saw eight cases in 2025 and seven in 2024. These statistics exclude deaths by suicide.Officials expressed deep concern over the trend, noting that a significant majority of the victims are children and young adults. While the Water Resources Department (WRD) has installed ‘danger’ and ‘warning’ signs at multiple entry points, officials emphasised that the public should not venture near the water at all, as these are strictly prohibited zones.

“During the summer, many people attempt to beat the heat by visiting dams, often unable to resist the urge to step into the water,” a senior WRD officer stated. “It is vital for the public to understand that dam beds are not even like swimming pools. Unless one is a highly skilled swimmer with protective gear and a thorough knowledge of the underwater topography, they must stay out of the water.”The officer added that completely sealing off dam boundaries is unfeasible, as local farmers and fishermen require regular access to the water.

However, while locals are generally aware of the inherent risks, visitors often underestimate the danger.In response to the rising death toll, the Nashik district administration is exploring stricter enforcement. “We have directed local authorities to devise more effective ways to restrict public movement in these high-risk zones,” the officer said.In Kolhapur district, the spate of tragedies began in late May.

On May 20, a 30-year-old woman and a 12-year-old child drowned in the Panchaganga rver. The following day, three people died in separate incidents in the Dudhganga and Bhogavati rivers. On May 24, a drowning was reported in the Hiranyakeshi River at Inchnal village.The final week of May saw further heartbreak: on May 26, three young sisters drowned in a farm pond in Chandgad, while another individual died in a canal in Sangli’s Kavathemahankal.

The following day, a person drowned in a lake at Jyotiba Hill.The fatalities continued into June, often involving residents travelling for leisure. On June 2, two individuals from Kolhapur drowned while visiting Aarey-Ware beach in Ratnagiri and Shiroda beach in Sindhudurg.The deadliest day occurred on June 11, when six drowning deaths were reported. These included three brothers from Sangli who drowned in the Jagbudi River in Khed; a mother and daughter who lost their lives in a canal in Sangli’s Tasgaon tehsil; and a victim at the Shingnapur barrage on the Panchaganga river. Dr Prasad Sankpal, head of the Kolhapur District Disaster Management team, emphasised that many of these deaths were the result of preventable risks. “People are losing their lives to carelessness. Factors such as swimming in unfamiliar waters, consuming alcohol before entering the water, overconfidence, and reckless behavior are leading to these tragedies,” he said.