the goan I network
PONDA
One Suhagata Basu, 25, from West Bengal and working as an IT engineer in Pune was washed away in a stream flowing from Dudhsagar waterfall at Sonavali on Sunday morning. The incident occurred when she was trying to cross the stream which flows into Dudhsagar river.
Collem police inspector Nilesh Dhaimodkar told The Goan that a group of around 13 persons had entered Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary at Collem at around 6 a.m. from Sonavali railway station, and the incident occurred on their way back after a trek.
“We looked for her till late in the evening. But as the flow of muddy water was too much, we could not trace her. We will start a search operation again on Monday morning,” said PI Dhaimodkar.
He informed that the girl was working in an IT company in Pune and had come with this group by train from Pune.
The Dudhasagar river is 50 mts away. Hence, police are suspecting that she must have flown in to the river.
Sources informed that one of the members had tried to rescue her, but to no avail.
Forest officials informed that the group had disembarked at Sonavali railway station and entered the sanctuary illegally, despite the locals warning them about the water flow in the river.
“Though there are ropes in this stream to facilitate crossing, the group was new to the area and had no idea about its depth and under currents,” the officer informed.
He also informed that forest fees for trekking are a mere Rs 50 and a local guide is also available.
“Had they come to Collem and entered the area legally, this would not have happened. We always advise visitors to take a local guide along because they know the area well,” he said.
According to sources, this group was accompanied by a guide from Pune, who asked them to disembark at Sonavali Station and enter the sanctuary illegally.
