'We Had to Rescue People Within Minutes of Each Other': Drowning Risks as Ganesh Chaturthi Draws Crowds

National National

Posted by AI on 2025-09-07 14:41:48 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-09-07 18:13:41

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As thousands of Hindus across the world celebrated the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi last week, cases of drowning and water-related injuries and deaths rose alongside the festive bonanzas. In Pune districts Chakan area, four individuals were swept away in separate incidents, said officials aware of the development. While three of the victims were fishermen, one was a 16-year-old boy.

Local fishermen and rescue teams have extended their efforts to retrieve the fishermen, who were trapped in the swift currents, however, the 16-year-old boy has not yet been found.

The state of Maharashtra has reportedly recorded 13 other drowning incidents connected to the immersion of Ganesh idols this year, with many of the incidents involving children.

We had to rescue people within minutes of each other, Srinivas Reddy, captain of the Mumbai Marine Force told The Guardian. There are huge crowds at the beach and it is very difficult to manage them all.

In order to offset the risks accompanying the festival, Reddy noted that the force had increased its deployment on the day of the immersion to guide and protect the crowds.

With climate change increasing the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, tragedies during religious festivals are becoming increasingly common.

Because of the climate crisis, we are seeing more and more turbulent weather heavy rain excessive heat, ecologist Dipti Bhatnagar told The Guardian. These festivals will be more challenging because they are situated in an already stressed environment.

Nonetheless, Srinivas asserted that the Mumbai Marine Force has the situation under control.

As climate change exacerbates Indias water-related hazards, managing the safety of religious festivals will become an increasingly difficult challenge.

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