Maharashtra witnessed tragic incidents during Ganesh idol immersion processions this year, as at least four people lost their lives and 13 others went missing across multiple districts. According to police, heavy rainfall and swollen rivers made immersion sites particularly dangerous, leading to several drowning cases. In Pune district’s Chakan region, four individuals were swept away in separate mishaps — two in the Bhama river at Waki Khurd, one at Shell Pimpalgaon, and another who accidentally slipped into a well at Birwadi. While two bodies have been recovered, search operations are still underway to trace the missing persons.
Similar tragedies unfolded in other districts as the festive processions continued. In Nanded’s Gadegaon area, three people were washed away by a strong river current; one of them was rescued, but two remain untraced. Nashik reported four drowning cases during idol immersions, with one body recovered so far in Sinnar. Jalgaon too witnessed three immersion-related mishaps, while Thane district recorded three drownings with one victim’s body recovered. Amravati police confirmed another man feared drowned, highlighting the widespread nature of these incidents across the state.
With continuous rainfall lashing several parts of Maharashtra, rivers and water bodies have overflowed, creating hazardous conditions during mass gatherings like Ganesh visarjan. State disaster response teams, supported by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), have been deployed for intensive rescue and recovery missions. The recurring accidents have sparked renewed calls for stricter safety measures during festival immersions, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where supervision and precautionary setups are often minimal.
