One dead, 106 rescued after getting stranded at Vasai waterfall in Maharashtra

mumbai

Updated: Jul 08, 2018 00:38 IST

Rescue personnel recovered the body of a man and saved 106 people who were stranded at the Chinchoti waterfall in Vasai on Saturday evening due to a sudden rise in water levels caused by incessant rains.

The body of the man was identified as Bhavesh Gupta (35), hailing from Kandivli East.

Officials said at least 26 people had entered the danger zone and were stuck as water levels rose. All the tourists were from Santacruz, Airoli, Malad, Borivali and nearby areas, said Palghar police PRO, Hemant Katkar.

A 19-member team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was sent to the waterfall, said Navnath Zare, resident district collector, Palghar, adding that mobile network at the spot was low.

The area is thickly forested and the approach road is bad, and the rains added to the woes of rescue personnel who were walking inside the jungle to reach the waterfall, officials said.

The NDRF team used horses provided by locals to trek to the core area, with rescue equipment.

At least five persons were rescued using an IAF helicopter, and are currently in Santacruz, Zare said.