Gujarat : Father and Son Drown at Mandvi Beach

Kutch : A family’s Diwali holiday ended in tragedy when a father and son drowned at Mandvi Beach in Kutch on Sunday. Kishore Maheshwari and his son, Denis, were part of a family group visiting Kutch for the festive season. According to reports, the two entered the water around 4 pm, where an unexpected large wave swept Denis into deeper water. In a desperate attempt to save his son, Kishore also ventured further into the sea, but both were caught in a powerful current and tragically drowned.

Local swimmers at the beach acted quickly but were only able to recover the bodies of the father and son. The sudden loss has cast a pall over what was meant to be a joyful family vacation.

This incident highlights the recurring dangers of powerful sea currents, particularly during peak holiday times when beaches see an influx of tourists. Mandvi Beach, known for its scenic beauty, is a popular destination in Gujarat, drawing families from across the state and beyond. Despite the appeal, the risks of venturing too far into the water remain high, with currents often becoming unpredictable and dangerous.

Unfortunately, this is not the first instance of tragic drownings during a festival season in Gujarat. On August 14, three people drowned in the Sabarmati River in Gandhinagar while performing the ‘visarjan’ (immersion) ritual for the Dasha Mata idol. In that incident, a 12-year-old girl performing the ritual was swept into the water, prompting four others to jump in to rescue her. While two individuals managed to survive with the help of local residents, two others, unfortunately, lost their lives in the attempt.