THE GOAN NETWORK
VALPOI
In a tragic incident at the Vajra Sakla waterfall near Surla, a 20-year-old youth from Belagavi reportedly drowned while bathing with friends on Sunday.
Rescue teams continued the search until late at night, but the operation had to be suspended due to darkness and the strong water current. Officials said the search operation would resume on Monday morning.
According to information, a group of young men from Belagavi had visited the Vajra Sakla waterfall, within the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary in Sattari, for a monsoon outing. Continuous rainfall over the ghats had caused the waterfall to swell considerably. While bathing, Aditya Dipak Kumar Satpati (20) reportedly lost his balance and was swept into a deep pool beneath the waterfall.
His friends immediately attempted to rescue him but were unsuccessful because of the strong current and the depth of the water.
A team from the Valpoi Fire Station rushed to the scene and along with fire personnel, officials from Mhadei Sanctuary, Valpoi Police, local residents and volunteers, launched a search operation. However, heavy rain and the rapidly increasing water flow made rescue efforts extremely difficult.
Navy personnel from Belagavi were also called in to assist with the operation. They participated in the search until evening, but worsening weather conditions, poor visibility and the onset of darkness forced authorities to suspend the operation. A joint search is scheduled to resume on Monday morning.
The Vajra Sakla Waterfall is within the protected limits of Mhadei Sanctuary, where entry without prior permission is prohibited. Just a few days ago, the Forest Department had taken action against eight visitors from Belagavi for illegally entering the sanctuary. This latest incident has further heightened concerns among officials regarding unauthorized access to the protected area.
Incidents of drowning in rivers and waterfalls across Goa have increased during the monsoon. Sudden surges in water levels, slippery rocks, hidden deep pools and powerful currents make these locations extremely dangerous, particularly during heavy rainfall.
Local residents have urged authorities to impose restrictions on access to dangerous waterfalls during the monsoon, deploy safety personnel, install warning signboards, CCTV cameras and rescue equipment, and strictly regulate entry into sensitive tourist destinations. There have also been demands for stronger enforcement against unauthorized entry into protected forest areas.
Although the Vajra Sakla Waterfall lies within Goa's territory, access to the site is primarily through Karnataka. Local residents believe that better coordination between the Goa and Karnataka administrations is essential to strengthen safety measures and prevent such tragedies in the future.
