Pune district imposes monsoon safety curbs in Lonavala till July 31
Pune, July 6
Torrential rains have been battering Mumbai and Pune for the past two days, throwing normal life out of gear and crippling the transport system. The heavy downpour has triggered a critical situation in Lonavala and the neighbouring Mawal taluka.
To ensure public safety, Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi has enforced prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, within the jurisdiction of the Lonavala Police Station.
He clarified that Section 163 does not impose a blanket ban on tourism but introduces strict safety regulations. These restrictions will remain in effect from midnight on July 6 until 6 a.m. on July 31. Consequently, tourists visiting Lonavala will be barred from entering waterfalls or visiting hazardous viewpoints. Additionally, clicking selfies, filming videos or making reels at these high-risk spots has been strictly prohibited.
Popular tourist destinations, including Ekvira Devi Temple, Bhushi Dam, Lion's Point, Tiger Point, Pawna Dam, Lohagad, Visapur, Tikona and Tung Fort, have been witnessing a massive influx of visitors. However, with heavy rains escalating the risk of fatal accidents, the administration was forced to step in.
The District Collector has urged citizens not to risk their lives while enjoying monsoon tourism, warning that legal action will be taken against anyone violating the safety guidelines.
"Section 163 is active from midnight, July 6, until 6 a.m., July 31. Entry into waterfalls, streams, rivers and dams is strictly banned. Photography, selfies and video shooting are prohibited at dangerous cliff edges. There is a complete ban on entering natural waterfalls. Alcohol consumption, noise pollution and littering at tourist spots are strictly forbidden," said the Pune District Collector.
He reiterated that strict action will be taken against instances of harassment of women and reckless driving. Four-wheelers and six-wheelers are prohibited from entering areas adjacent to dams and riverbanks.
Meanwhile, the heavy downpour has severely impacted Mumbai-Pune rail traffic. A massive landslide occurred between Monkey Hill and Khandala stations in the Lonavala-Karjat South-East Ghat section (around km 121 and 123). Giant boulders, rocks and mud debris crashed onto the tracks, bringing rail services on the route to a complete standstill.
Upon receiving the information, Central Railway's engineering division, along with hundreds of workers and advanced machinery, rushed to the spot. Restoration work is currently underway on a war footing.
Although relentless rain and thick fog in the ghats are posing significant challenges, railway authorities are making every effort to clear the tracks safely and restore traffic at the earliest. While the continuous downpour in Pune district and the Western Ghats has effectively resolved Pune's water scarcity concerns, it has simultaneously triggered a severe flood threat.
Considered the lifeline of Pune, the Khadakwasla Dam had filled up to 32 per cent of its capacity by 2 p.m. on July 6. Given the intense rainfall in the catchment areas and the rising inflow, the dam is projected to reach 80 per cent or more of its capacity within the next 24 hours.
If the rainfall persists at this intensity, water could be released into the Mutha riverbed from the dam spillway at any moment. Consequently, the Water Resources and Irrigation Department has issued a high alert to villages along the riverbanks and residents in low-lying areas, advising them to stay vigilant, avoid entering the river and move livestock and valuables to safer locations.
Due to extreme rainfall across the western crest of Pune district, the Indrayani River has breached its danger level. The surging water from the Indrayani is flowing directly into the Bhima River. Currently, water is being discharged into the Bhima riverbed from the Daund barrage at a rate of 27,847 cusecs. As a result, the water level of the Ujani Dam, a crucial water source for Solapur and Pune districts, is rising rapidly.
Local authorities have directed residents in low-lying areas near the riverbanks to evacuate to safer locations. To manage the developing flood situation, Irrigation Department officials and disaster management teams are monitoring the region 24x7.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The ban on selfies and reels is a bit extreme, no? I understand restricting entry to dangerous spots, but prohibiting photography altogether? That's overreach. Thousands of people visit Lonavala to capture the monsoon beauty. If someone wants to take a photo from a safe distance, what's the harm? The administration should focus on enforcing safety at dangerous spots, not banning everything.
The article says the Khadakwasla Dam is filling up fast. That's a double-edged sword—good for water supply but scary for those living near the Mutha river. My cousin in Pune told me they're already on high alert. I hope the authorities are better prepared this time than during the 2019 floods. And please, people, don't be foolish—stay away from the riverbanks. Your Instagram reel is not worth your life.
As someone from Lonavala, I can tell you—these restrictions are needed. Every monsoon, tourists come and treat the place like a picnic spot without any regard for safety or cleanliness. The noise pollution near Ekvira Devi Temple during rains is unbearable. And drunk driving on those ghat roads? Recipe for disaster. If this order saves even one life, it's worth it. But I hope the administration also fixes the roads—they're full of potholes!
I visited Lonavala last monsoon and was shocked by how reckless some tourists were. People crossing barriers to get closer to waterfalls, standing on slippery edges... it's a miracle more accidents don't happen. This ban on entry to dangerous spots makes perfect sense. However, I do wonder if the ban on photography is enforceable. Seems like a lot of manpower needed to monitor every viewpoint.
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