17-Year-Old Dharavi Boy Drowns in Kharghar Hills Lake During Swim

A 17-year-old boy from Dharavi drowned on Tuesday while swimming in a rain-filled lake located near the foothills behind Bharati Vidyapeeth in Kharghar Hills, Navi Mumbai. The victim, identified by police as Ashraf Sheikh, had traveled to the scenic hill area with a group of friends when the tragedy occurred.

According to the Kharghar police, the group of friends had gone to the lake behind the Bharati Vidyapeeth campus for a swim. Sheikh entered the water but was unable to gauge its depth and began to drown. His friends immediately tried to rescue him, but their efforts to save the teenager were unsuccessful.

The tragic incident was reported to the Kharghar police by Sanjay Gharat, the former sarpanch of Belpada village. Following the report, police personnel rushed to the spot in Kharghar Hills and initiated efforts to retrieve Sheikh's body from the water. The police have confirmed that further investigation into the drowning is underway.

Following the teenager's death, the Kharghar police issued a public safety appeal warning citizens and tourists to stay away from water bodies. A Kharghar police officer stated that the lake was filled to its capacity due to heavy rainfall, making it extremely dangerous for swimmers.

The police have appealed to the public not to enter lakes, waterfalls, or streams during the monsoon season. Authorities warned that water levels and currents in these areas can change suddenly and prove fatal to visitors.

The Kharghar hill area regularly attracts large numbers of visitors during the monsoon season due to its scenic beauty, waterfalls, and natural streams. However, authorities have repeatedly cautioned tourists against venturing into the water, noting that several drowning incidents have been reported in the area over the years.