Teenager Swept Away in Kamwari River in Bhiwandi While Catching Crabs
A 17-year-old boy went missing and is feared drowned after being swept away in the rain-swollen Kamwari River in the Sawandhe village area of Bhiwandi on Sunday afternoon. The teenager, identified as Mohammad Ghaus, had ventured into the fast-flowing water with his friends to catch crabs when the incident occurred.
Ghaus, a resident of Gulzar Nagar, had gone to the riverbanks at around 3:00 PM with three to four friends. While his friends stayed near the bank, Ghaus entered the water. Recent relentless monsoon showers had significantly raised the river's water levels and created an exceptionally strong current. Unaware of the depth and force of the water, the teenager lost his footing, drifted into deeper waters, and was swept away within moments.
His friends immediately attempted to rescue him but were quickly overpowered by the strong current. They then alerted nearby residents and informed the authorities. The incident drew a large crowd of anxious locals to the riverbank.
Upon receiving the alert at approximately 3:40 PM, teams from the Bhiwandi Municipal Corporation (BNCMC) Disaster Management Cell and the Fire Brigade rushed to the spot. Rescue personnel launched an extensive search operation, scouring multiple locations along the river for several hours.
However, the search had to be temporarily suspended after dark due to safety concerns. Officials noted that the rescue efforts were severely hindered by poor underwater visibility, rising water levels, and the dangerous speed of the river.
BNCMC Disaster Management Chief Saqib Kharbe confirmed that the search was halted due to continuous rainfall, the powerful current, and rapidly fading daylight. Kharbe stated that the operation would resume on Monday morning.
The teenager's family members and local residents remained at the riverbank late into Sunday evening, waiting for updates. Meanwhile, civic authorities issued a fresh warning urging citizens, particularly young people, to stay away from swollen rivers and waterlogged areas.
