Father Survives By Clinging To A Tree, Loses Wife And Two Daughters After SUV Is Swept Away In Maharashtra Floods
Yavatmal: What began as a family journey ended in heartbreak after an SUV carrying four members of a family was swept away by floodwaters in Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district. The father survived by holding onto a tree, but his wife and two young daughters lost their lives in the tragedy.
The accident took place on Thursday near Darwha when the family was travelling to Loni in Ahilyanagar district. Their SUV reached a bridge over the Kupti River, which had overflowed following continuous heavy rainfall across the region. As the vehicle attempted to cross the waterlogged bridge, the powerful current swept it off the road within moments.
The driver, Avinash Khandare, managed to get out of the vehicle and grabbed the branches of a nearby tree, where he remained stranded until rescue teams reached him. His wife, Madhavi Khandare, and the couple’s two daughters were unable to escape as the SUV was carried away by the rushing water.
Police, local authorities and disaster response teams immediately launched a search operation that continued overnight. On Friday, rescuers located the submerged SUV downstream and recovered the bodies of Madhavi and the two girls, bringing the operation to a tragic end.
Officials said the bridge had been submerged due to rising water levels caused by relentless monsoon rain. Preliminary information suggests the force of the current was much stronger than it appeared, causing the vehicle to lose control and be swept away.
The incident comes as several districts across Maharashtra continue to receive heavy rainfall. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued rain alerts for multiple parts of the state, warning of heavy to very heavy showers and the possibility of flooding in vulnerable areas.
Authorities have once again urged people not to attempt crossing flooded roads, bridges or causeways, even in larger vehicles. Disaster management officials say fast moving water can easily carry away SUVs and other heavy vehicles, making such crossings extremely dangerous.
The tragedy has sparked an outpouring of grief, with many expressing condolences to the family on social media. It also serves as another painful reminder of the dangers posed by swollen rivers and overflowing bridges during the monsoon season.
With heavy rain expected to continue in parts of Maharashtra, officials have appealed to residents to stay updated on weather advisories, avoid unnecessary travel during intense rainfall, and strictly follow road closure and safety instructions issued by local authorities.
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