Gangapur Dam drowning: Four dead in Nashik, three cousins among victims
Synopsis
Four people drowned at Nashik's Gangapur Dam on 12 June after wading into the spillway area during a family outing — the victims included three 16-year-old cousins and a 21-year-old woman. The dam draws up to 10,000 visitors daily, and the tragedy has reignited concerns about submerged hazards at popular water-body sites across Maharashtra.
Key Takeaways
Four people drowned at Gangapur Dam in Nashik, Maharashtra on 12 June .
Victims: Ganesh Gotarne (16) , Sahil Gotarne (16) , Nikhil Gotarne (16) — three cousins from Savargaon — and Mayuri Jadhav (21) of Talegaon Anjaneri.
The group entered the spillway area after a family feast; concealed deep pits and strong undercurrents caused the drownings.
Local villagers launched a rescue using boats before official teams arrived, recovering all four bodies.
Gangapur Dam reportedly receives 8,000–10,000 visitors daily ; safety protocol review is expected.
Four people — three minor cousins and a young woman — drowned at the Gangapur Dam spillway area in Nashik district, Maharashtra, on 12 June, after the group was swept into unexpectedly deep waters while wading near the site. The tragedy has left Savargaon village and surrounding areas in mourning.
Who the victims were
The Disaster Management Department identified the deceased as Ganesh Gotarne (16), Sahil Gotarne (16), and Nikhil Gotarne (16) — all residents of Savargaon — along with Mayuri Jadhav (21), a resident of Talegaon Anjaneri. The three boys were cousins from the same family.
How the incident unfolded
The group had gathered at the Gotarne household for 'Dhondya-che Jevan', a traditional community feast. After lunch, Mayuri Jadhav expressed a wish to visit the dam's spillway, and six family members and relatives accompanied her to the site.
Once at the dam, the group entered the water, which initially appeared waist-deep. According to reports, they were unaware of sudden depth changes and concealed pits beneath the surface. One of the youths accidentally drifted into a deeper section and began struggling. As others rushed to help, they too were caught in strong undercurrents.
In the ensuing chaos, one of the older boys managed to pull a young woman to safety. However, the three teenagers and Mayuri Jadhav were swept under. A survivor who escaped the water ran back to the village and raised the alarm.
Rescue and recovery
Local residents from Savargaon reached the spot before official rescue teams and launched a search using boats and other available resources. Their efforts led to the recovery of all four bodies. The rescued young woman was taken to a hospital for treatment. Later in the evening, the bodies were sent to the District Government Hospital for post-mortem examinations. Hundreds of residents from Savargaon and neighbouring villages gathered near the dam as news spread.
Safety concerns at a high-footfall site
Gangapur Dam is a popular tourist destination that reportedly draws between 8,000 and 10,000 visitors daily. A boat club operates at the site and safety measures are reportedly in place. The location is particularly frequented by young visitors from Nashik and surrounding areas. This incident raises fresh questions about visitor awareness of submerged hazards at dam spillways — a recurring danger at water bodies across Maharashtra during the summer season.
Authorities are expected to review safety protocols at the site following the deaths.
Point of View
Where shallow-looking water conceals sudden depth drops and powerful undercurrents. The site reportedly draws up to 10,000 visitors a day, yet awareness of submerged hazards remains critically low. The fact that villagers reached the site and began recovery before official rescue teams is telling: institutional response capacity at popular water bodies continues to lag behind footfall. Without visible depth-marking, physical barriers near hazard zones, and multilingual warning signage, tragedies like this will keep repeating.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the four victims of the Gangapur Dam drowning?
The four victims were Ganesh Gotarne (16) , Sahil Gotarne (16) , and Nikhil Gotarne (16) — three cousins from Savargaon village in Nashik district — and Mayuri Jadhav (21) of Talegaon Anjaneri. All four drowned at the Gangapur Dam spillway on 12 June.
How did the Gangapur Dam drowning happen?
The group entered the spillway area after a family feast, believing the water to be waist-deep. Concealed deep pits and strong undercurrents swept four of them under when one youth drifted into a deeper section and others attempted to rescue him.
Was anyone rescued from the Gangapur Dam incident?
Yes, one young woman was pulled to safety by an older boy before the situation worsened. She was taken to a hospital for treatment. A sixth member of the group also escaped and raised the alarm in the village.
What is Gangapur Dam and why is it significant?
Gangapur Dam is a major reservoir and popular tourist destination in Nashik district, Maharashtra, reportedly attracting 8,000 to 10,000 visitors every day. A boat club operates at the site, and it is especially frequented by young visitors from Nashik and surrounding areas.
What happens next after the Gangapur Dam drowning?
The four bodies were sent to the District Government Hospital for post-mortem examinations. Authorities are expected to review safety protocols at the dam following the incident, given the site's high daily footfall and the recurring risk posed by submerged hazards.
