Two Tourists From Pune Drown in Devkund Waterfall; Search Resumes Monday Morning
A Sunday monsoon outing turned into an absolute nightmare for a group of Pune youngsters as two young men drowned in the deep natural pool of the highly popular Devkund waterfall in Raigad district.
The tragic Devkund waterfall accident occurred around 3:30 PM on Sunday, July 12, 2026, sending shockwaves through the local holiday crowds and exposing the fatal consequences of bypassing official safety protocols. The deceased have been identified by the police as Gopal Rathod and Vishnu Doke, both residents of Pune aged between 23 and 25 years.
Bypassing Security: How the Excursion Turned Fatal
According to local police reports, a group of 17 tourists from Pune had traveled to the Bhira-Patanus region in Mangaon taluka for a weekend getaway. Despite heavy downpours and clear warning signs posted at the entry tracks, the group pushed deep into the forest area to reach the waterfall basin.
Eyewitnesses stated that while the group was enjoying the scenic surroundings, the two victims decided to step into the deep, turbulent plunge pool directly beneath the cascading water. Unaware of the sudden depth and powerful undercurrents generated by the heavy monsoon inflows at the Kundalika river source, both youngsters lost their footing and were swept under the water in a matter of seconds.
Active Raigad Monsoon Tourism Ban Defied
The horrific Devkund waterfall tragedy has brought the spotlight back onto administrative lapses and tourist negligence. Due to the high risk of flash floods and fatal accidents during peak monsoon weeks, the Raigad District Collectorate had already placed a strict, comprehensive ban on entering all major waterfalls, water bodies, and hazardous trekking zones across Mangaon and the adjacent Tamhini ghat travel restrictions sector.
Local residents expressed immense anger over how such a large group of 17 outsiders managed to breach the perimeter checkpoints without being intercepted by local forest guards or police patrols.
Mangaon Police Launch Immediate Search and Rescue Operations
Following urgent calls from the panicked group members, a team from the Mangaon Police Station, alongside local rural rescue swimmers and trekkers, rushed to the site. However, the treacherous terrain, fading daylight, and intense water pressure slowed down the initial response.
The search operations, which were paused late Sunday night due to zero visibility in the dense forest terrain, to be resumed early Monday morning to recover the bodies.
Authorities Issue High-Alert Advisory for Monsoon Travelers
District police officials have reiterated that the implementation of Section 163 BNSS Maharashtra waterfalls is non-negotiable. Trekkers are strictly warned to stay completely clear of restricted zones, cliff edges, and high-velocity mountain streams.
Travelers from Pune and Mumbai are advised to check dynamic weather warnings and respect local administrative closures before heading towards the Western Ghats, as security check-posts are being doubled to avoid any further loss of life during this hazardous rainy season.
