After six days of continuous search operations, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local emergency teams have failed to locate the body of a 24-year-old man who drowned in the Ulhas River at Dahagaon, under the jurisdiction of Kalyan Taluka Police Station, on the afternoon of June 26. The operation was called off on July 1 due to darkness and is expected to resume on Wednesday.
The man has been identified as Ashish Rampal Karotiya, a resident of Ulhasnagar, where he lived with his family. According to police, Karotiya and a group of five to six friends had travelled to Dahagaon for monsoon recreation. They reached the Ulhas River around 10:30 a.m. and allegedly consumed alcohol. In an inebriated state, Karotiya entered the river, was swept away by the current, and drowned.
His friends shouted for help and immediately alerted nearby villagers and the local police. Rescue teams, including the fire brigade, rushed to the scene and launched a search but were unable to trace him before nightfall. The next day, the NDRF was called in to assist. Along with local divers and fire department personnel, they expanded the search area to approximately 10 kilometers downstream.
As of July 1, Karotiya remains missing.
Bala Kumbhar, Senior Police Inspector at Kalyan Taluka Police Station, said, “Despite six days of efforts, the response teams have not been able to trace him. We have also informed neighbouring police stations about the incident.”
