Mid-Day Opinion: Steer clear of waterfalls, dams in the monsoon

Representation pic

It is water, water everywhere, but certainly not something to be trifled with this season. We have incidents of young men feared drowned from a waterfall in Navi Mumbai and a dam in Thane district amid heavy rainfall, officials said.

Reports stated that two men were swept away at the notorious Pandavkada waterfall in Kharghar and another disappeared in the water at a dam in Ambernath.

Lives have been lost in the waterfall and dam incident, proving that dangers are not in floodwaters, but frolicking without caution or a care this season.

The edits space has warned against bathing in waterfalls, a much visited site in the monsoon, when they most probably are in spate.

The edge of that waterfall is extremely slick. It may seem calm from atop but one can easily tumble over. There are revellers who stand below the falls, very close to the full gush of water as it falls with fierce beauty from a height. The current below, can carry one away in a trice and the rocks all around are extremely slippery, so it is futile, trying to hold on and get a grip hoping the rocks will save you.

The current will yank you away and under in less than a second, before you know it you will be carried miles away from where you thought you were safe, standing and ready for the selfie that will catapult you to insta fame.

Dams are not places you should or can swim in. They are not swimming pools; they are dams made for a specific purpose. They are not made for people to jump in and swim. Always respect the water, always enjoy the water at a very long distance.