Family outing ends in tragedy as three drown in lake near Umred

Staff Reporter

A joyous outing of a family and their relatives ended in tragedy when three members of the group drowned in Matkazari lake in the Kuhi Police Station limits of the district. The deceased were identified as Jitendra Istaram Shende (35) from Gulmohar Nagar, Bharatwada, Nagpur; Santosh Kishore Bavane (25) from Shravan Nagar, Wathoda, Nagpur; and Nishedh Raju Popat (12) from Wathoda, Nagpur. The incident took place when the family, accompanied by relatives, ventured out to enjoy mangoes in a field. Disappointed by the absence of mangoes on the trees, they decided to relocate their gathering near the nearby Matkazari lake. Little did they know, this decision would lead to the tragedy.

According to police, with temperatures soaring, Jitendra and Santosh decided to take a dip in the lake before their planned gathering. Their swim turned into a nightmare when they found themselves struggling in the deep waters. Nishedh, witnessing their distress, attempted to aid them but was also engulfed by the depths. A quick-thinking car driver jumped into the lake and rescued Nishedh but he was dead. The bodies of Jitendra and Santosh were recovered late Thursday night, after a search operation by the police and local divers. Kuhi Police registered the incident as a case of accidental death.

Many wells in the lake

It has come to light that in 2021, a person drowned in the same well at Matkazari lake where three more lives were lost on Thursday. Despite the authorities having erected a warning board declaring the area restricted, the three still ventured into the water for a swim. Matkajhari was once home to a village, dotted with numerous wells that remain unsealed. All three victims met their demise by drowning in one such well, claimed police officials.