A tragic incident occurred today in the Kundamala area of Maval taluka, where an old bridge on the banks of the Indrayani River collapsed amid heavy rainfall. The incident, which took place during the weekend tourist rush, has so far claimed six lives, with fears that the death toll may rise as rescue operations continue.
For the past three to four days, Maval has experienced continuous heavy rainfall, leading to a sharp rise in the Indrayani River’s water level. The collapse happened while around 100 tourists had gathered at the spot for Varsha Vihar (monsoon picnic). The sudden structural failure of the aging bridge led to several people being swept away by the strong currents.
Rescue teams, including local authorities and emergency personnel, have managed to rescue 38 individuals, of whom 18 sustained injuries. Efforts to locate those still missing are ongoing despite difficult weather and river conditions. In response to the tragedy, Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi announced a relief package, confirming that ₹5 lakh will be provided to the families of the deceased. Additionally, the injured will receive complete medical treatment free of cost, as per government directives.
The administration has also begun investigating the structural integrity of other bridges in the region and has urged citizens to avoid riverbanks during the ongoing monsoon season. This incident has once again brought infrastructure safety and tourist crowd management under scrutiny, prompting calls for stricter monitoring and maintenance of public structures.