Lonavala: Thousands Stranded In Lohgad Fort Amidst Heavy Rains On Sunday, Authorities Caution Tourists

Sumit Singh

Lonavala, 3rd July 2023: A massive crowd of tourists found themselves stranded at Lohgad in the Lonavala area yesterday (Sunday). The incident occurred on a rainy day when hundreds of people flocked to the fort, leading to overcrowding.

A video footage captured the alarming scene, showing the lack of space for movement. Fortunately, a stampede was averted during this incident. However, this recurring scenario emphasizes the crucial need for proper planning both at the foot and atop the fort, with the presence of adequate police personnel being essential.

The Lonavala and Maval areas have been experiencing heavy rainfall, resulting in the formation of numerous small and large waterfalls. Given the weekend and the allure of the rain, tourists from Pune, Mumbai, Pimpri Chinchwad, and other districts flocked to Lonavala, Khandala, Lohgad, and Bhaje. Lohgad, in particular, witnessed an overwhelming surge of visitors, leaving no space for tourists to navigate.

A situation arose where tourists found themselves trapped for approximately four hours, struggling to find even a place to stand. Eventually, through mutual coordination, they managed to make their way out from under the fort.

Unfortunately, this has become a recurring occurrence at Lohgad, highlighting the lack of effective planning and the pressing need for attention from both the authorities in Lonavla and the Pune rural police.

Failure to address these issues could potentially lead to stampedes and loss of lives. In addition, tourists are urged to exercise caution and use their discretion, avoiding crowded places whenever possible.