Mumbaikars’ fascination for water bodies during the monsoons and the resultant cases of drowning — an annual city feature — saw two teenagers drowning in the sea off Juhu during the high tide on Sunday morning.
Vile Parle residents Alex Pande (15) and Rostin Decris (16) were at Juhu Chowpatty along with six other friends on Sunday morning. A huge tide swallowed Alex and Rostin, who had ventured deep in to the sea, during the high tide. After the currents pulled in the duo, the other boys on the shore raised an alarm and notified the people around.
Fifty-six-year old lifeguard Ravindra Ramchandra Vaidya was deployed for the duty when the incident took place. “I had cautioned people about venturing into the sea by constantly whistling, and using a stick to drive them away. However, I have to cover a distance of 4.5 kms from Khar Danda up to Seven Bungalows,” Mr Vaidya said.
Mr Vaidya said that he left the spot at around 9.15 am, and the incident occurred at around 9.45 am. The fire brigade and the coastal police were called in for the rescue operation. Around 15 lifeguards of a local NGO also participated in the operation. While one body was fished out in afternoon, the hunt was on for the second one. “There are five lifeguards deployed from Juhu to Aksa beach. At the time of incident, high tide of 2m was recorded. The sea was rough which posed problems in rescue operations,” said Ramesh Pawar, Assistant Commissioner, K-westward. The BMC had issued a warning of heavy rainfall and high tide for Sunday. A high tide of 4.58 m was recorded at 1.09 pm.
Mr Vaidya said, “There are hundreds of people around, it is difficult to keep a tab.”