Team Goemkarponn
VALPOI: Goa’s rising drowning toll has once again highlighted the dangers of the monsoon season, with a 15-year-old boy from Karnataka feared drowned at Delta Waterfall in Sattari, while six youths from Sanquelim were rescued after being stranded near a waterfall at Virdi on the Goa–Maharashtra border.
The latest incidents come as 71 drowning deaths have been recorded in Goa between January and June this year, with fatalities reported across beaches, rivers and waterfalls. The increase has been attributed to heavy tourist movement during the summer and hazardous conditions following the onset of the monsoon.
The missing boy has been identified as Aditya Dilip Kumar Satpati (15), a resident of Government Quarters, Belagavi, Karnataka. According to police, he had visited Delta Waterfall on Sunday along with five friends after accessing the site from the Karnataka side.
Aditya reportedly entered the water but failed to resurface. On receiving information, personnel from Valpoi Police Station and Fire & Emergency Services rushed to the spot and launched a search and rescue operation. Although the group entered from Karnataka, the waterfall falls within Goa’s territorial jurisdiction.
The body had not been recovered till the time of going to press. Search operations were continuing with the assistance of Goa Police, Fire & Emergency Services, local volunteers and other agencies.
In another incident underscoring the dangers posed by overflowing rivers and waterfalls, six youths from Sanquelim were rescued after they became stranded near a waterfall at Virdi when heavy rainfall caused the river level to rise suddenly, cutting off their return route.
A joint overnight rescue operation involving the Forest Department, Goa Police, Fire & Emergency Services and local residents was launched. After several hours of efforts, all six youths were brought to safety by dawn without any injuries.
The two incidents have renewed concerns over safety at waterfalls and other natural water bodies during the monsoon. Authorities have repeatedly appealed to tourists and local residents to avoid venturing into rivers, waterfalls and flooded areas, warning that sudden surges in water levels, strong currents and slippery terrain can turn fatal within minutes.
With 71 drowning deaths already reported in the first half of 2026, officials have urged the public to exercise extreme caution and strictly follow safety advisories during the ongoing monsoon season.
