Pune: In a tragic incident near the Khadakwasla dam, a 19-year-old youth, Mayur Ganesh Naidu, drowned in a pit within the riverbed after attempting to swim in the released waters.

The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon, and his body was recovered by local police and fire department teams later that day.

Mayur, a resident of Bhairavnath Nagar in Kondhwe-Dhawade, had accompanied his parents and uncle to the riverbed, where they were washing quilts and sheets.

Around 2:30 PM, while washing clothes, Mayur, confident in his swimming abilities, decided to take a swim in the flowing waters. He jumped into the water but never resurfaced, alarming his family.

Back at home, Mayur’s mother and aunt had called the family members at the river to inform them about the lunch they were sending. It was during this call that they learned Mayur had disappeared beneath the water.

Neighbors Abhishek Kamble, Prashant Deshmukh, Anand More, and Maruti Chandilkar rushed to the scene after hearing the distressing news.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Prashant Deshmukh contacted MLA Bhimrao Tapkir, requesting that the flow of water from the Khadakwasla dam into the riverbed be reduced.

The request was quickly acted upon, and the water flow was decreased. However, Mayur had already become trapped in a deep pit in the river.

Rescue operations, involving the fire department and the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), began immediately.

Using nets and ropes, the team formed a rescue chain to locate Mayur. His body was found trapped in a rocky crevice, and the team was finally able to retrieve him after his jeans caught in the rescue net.

Mayur was well-known in his community, particularly as an active member of the Shri Ganesh Bal Mitra Mandal in Bhairavnath Nagar. He had a strong passion for fitness and was admired for his cheerful demeanor.

In addition to his studies in the 11th grade, Mayur also took on small jobs to support his family. His neighbor, Prashant Deshmukh, shared that Mayur was an enthusiastic participant in the mandal’s regular trekking expeditions to Sinhagad, where he was always eager to help.