Tourists Risk Lives At Navi Mumbai Waterfalls Despite Bans, Social Media Craze Blamed For Reckless Monsoon

Tourists use unauthorised forest trails and hidden hill routes to reach prohibited waterfalls in Navi Mumbai, Panvel and Uran despite police deployment and restrictions.

Entry is banned at waterfalls and hilly areas including Digha, Gavli Dev Hill, Belapur, Kharghar, Taloja, Adai, Karnala and Uran due to monsoon-related mishaps.

Social media influencers posting 'secret waterfall' videos and incorrect Google Maps tags drive reckless monsoon tourism to restricted and dangerous areas.

Pandavkada Waterfall in Kharghar has recorded over 30 deaths since 2010, including 12 students in 2010 and 4 girl students in 2019.

Illegal routes are more dangerous due to steep terrain, no mobile network coverage, and delayed rescue operations.