Two Thane Teenagers Rescued After Getting Lost Trekking Near Machi Prabalgad
Two 17-year-old residents of Thane were safely rescued on Saturday after getting lost in the hilly terrain while trekking towards Machi Prabalgad. The teenagers, Gauri Ganesh Chandanshive from Mira Road and Utkarsh Bipin Singh from Aryan City on Kalyan Road, lost their way on the mountain trails and contacted authorities for assistance using the 112 emergency helpline.
Following the distress call, beat marshals Amar Bhalsingh and Pradeep Popate from the Panvel Taluka police station immediately launched efforts to trace the missing teenagers. The search and rescue operation was coordinated by Police Sub-Inspectors Abhijit Vharamble and Vasekar under the direct guidance of Senior Police Inspector Gajanan Ghadge.
Local residents Navnath Pardhi and Harishchandra Pardhi from Machi Prabalgad village joined the search operation alongside police personnel and volunteers from Nature Friends-Panvel and the HELP Foundation. The local villagers' familiarity with the mountain trails and terrain helped the rescue team identify the likely route and locate the stranded teenagers before bringing them down safely.
After being brought down from the hill, the two teenagers were handed over to their relative, Pratiksha Satish Chandanshive.
Following the incident, experts warned against unplanned monsoon treks in the region. Gurunath Sathelkar, founder of HELP Foundation, stated that inexperienced tourists need to understand the risks involved in trekking through the Sahyadri during the monsoon season. He noted that many young people are attracted to trekking destinations after watching reels and videos on social media, but stressed that the terrain cannot be understood merely through online videos.
Sathelkar explained that fog, slippery trails, steep slopes, and sudden changes in weather can make even familiar routes dangerous during the monsoon. He emphasized that losing one's way in the hills can quickly turn a recreational outing into a dangerous situation, particularly when mobile connectivity is unavailable or darkness sets in.
"Adventure is welcome, but it should never become reckless. The mountain is not something to be conquered; it has to be understood and respected," Sathelkar said. He advised trekkers, especially first-time visitors, to check weather forecasts, carry essential safety equipment, inform their families about their routes, and seek guidance from local villagers or experienced trekkers before venturing into unknown trails.
