Dhuleti tragedy in Ahmedabad: Three children drown in pond in Sitapur village

The sacred festival of Dhuleti turned into a day of mourning across Gujarat after three separate drowning incidents in Ahmedabad, Aravalli and Surat districts claimed the lives of eight people, including five children. The tragic incidents have cast a pall over Holi celebrations in the state.

Three children drown in pond in Ahmedabad rural

A heartbreaking incident was reported from Sitapur village in Mandal taluka of Ahmedabad (rural), where three children drowned in the Zholasar pond. According to information, five children had gone to bathe in the pond after celebrating Dhuleti. During the bath, three of them slipped into deeper waters and drowned, while the remaining two were rescued safely.

Upon receiving information, the Hansalpur police rushed to the spot and initiated rescue and legal procedures. The bodies of the three children were retrieved and sent to a government hospital for post-mortem examination. The incident has plunged Sitapur village and surrounding areas into deep shock, with grieving families and a sombre atmosphere prevailing in the village.

Two cousins drown in Aravalli’s Malpur

Another tragic incident occurred in Nava (Jambu Fali) village of Malpur taluka in Aravalli. Two cousin brothers, Raychand Damor and Jaimin Damor, drowned while bathing in a village pond after playing Dhuleti. The children, who were studying in Classes 5 and 6, reportedly ventured into deep water and could not be saved.

The Modasa fire brigade team recovered both bodies after an extensive operation. The bodies were later shifted to the Malpur Community Health Centre for post-mortem. The deaths have left the Damor family shattered and the entire village in mourning.

Three youths drown in Kim river in Surat

A similar tragedy unfolded near Pansara village in Mangrol taluka of Surat district, where three youths drowned while bathing in the Kim river on the occasion of Dhuleti. The deceased have been identified as Chandrabhushan Singh, Happy Singh and Sanjay Dhanji Mangukiya.

Fire brigade personnel and local swimmers launched a search operation and recovered all three bodies from the river, which were later sent to the Kim Primary Health Centre. The Kosamba police have registered a case and initiated further investigation.

The series of drowning incidents has once again highlighted the dangers of bathing in ponds and rivers during festive celebrations, turning what should have been a day of joy into one of grief for several families across Gujarat.