A video showing the rescue of more than 100 tourists stranded near the popular Zenith Waterfall in Khopoli of Maharashtra’s Raigad district, following a sudden rise in the water level caused by heavy rain, has drawn praise for those who helped them.
The rescue operation, which lasted nearly three hours Saturday, was carried out by villagers, the Khopoli Fire Brigade and the police, Punekar News reported.
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With the weekend drawing large crowds to the waterfall, hundreds of visitors had gathered to enjoy the monsoon, with many crossing the river to reach the opposite side of the falls. However, continuous rain in the surrounding hills caused the river to swell rapidly, trapping over 100 tourists at two different locations, the report added.
The now-viral video shows villagers helping tourists wade through the strong current with a rope.
Watch how the tourists were rescued:
#BREAKING Over 100 tourists stranded near Khopoli’s Zenith Waterfall in #Raigad due to sudden heavy flooding were safely rescued by brave Vihari Thakurwadi villagers using ropes
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds across parts of Maharashtra over the next two days, and issued red alerts for eight regions Monday.
The areas under the highest level of warning include Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and the ghat regions of Nashik, Pune, and Satara. Red alerts for Raigad, Palghar, and the Pune ghats will remain in effect for two days.
IMD has also warned of possible flash floods in several locations.
IMD has also warned of possible flash floods in several locations (Photo: @Vishii14/X) 
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