Powered by

Advertisment
Home Madhya Pradesh

Surge in drowning deaths in Madhya Pradesh highlights need for action

Madhya Pradesh faces a surge in drowning deaths, with over 20,000 fatalities recorded between 2019 and 2022. Despite SDERF's rescue efforts, poor safety measures and a lack of awareness put children at risk. Experts urge stronger prevention strategies.

By Wahid Bhat
New Update
Surge in drowning deaths in Madhya Pradesh

Surge in drowning deaths in Madhya Pradesh. Photo credit: Ground Report

Listen to this article
0.75x 1x 1.5x
00:00 / 00:00

Two friends, Prateek Singh, 13, and Ayushman Singh, 14, were grazing cattle in Deori village, Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur district, when they decided to take a swim in a nearby pond on December 29 last year. Tragically, it became their last swim. After an extensive search, the police recovered their bodies. An investigation into the incident has been initiated.

Advertisment

In July 2023, the residents of Dhobisarra village in Seoni district were thrown into mourning when four children tragically drowned in a pond. The victims were identified as Rishabh (5), Aarav (6), Ritik (10), and Aush (8). The incident occurred when, taking advantage of their parents' who were out  for work, the children, like many other days, decided to take a bath in the nearby pond to escape the sweltering summer heat.

These tragic deaths serve as a stark reminder of the rising number of drowning deaths in the region, highlighting the urgent need for a broader conversation about water safety in Madhya Pradesh. Despite the relentless efforts of the State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF) to save lives through rescue operations, the data presents a troubling picture.

Surge in drowning deaths in Madhya Pradesh1
A boy sitting by the river. Photo credit: Ground Report

Between 2019 and 2022, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) recorded 20,829 drowning fatalities in Madhya Pradesh alone. The state continues to struggle with a growing number of such fatalities, underscoring a critical gap in water safety measures.

Surge in drowning cases

A recent series of drownings highlights a troubling surge in drowning incidents across the state. On September 9, 2024, a jawan from the Special Armed Force (SAF) and a doctor were among eight people who drowned in separate incidents across Madhya Pradesh’s Vidisha, Sehore, and Khandwa districts.

Five individuals drowned in various ghat areas along the Betwa River in Vidisha district, while Dr. Ashwin Krishnan Iyer, a doctor, tragically drowned during a picnic at Digambar Waterfall in Sehore district. Additionally, two teenage girls lost their lives in the Agni River in Khandwa district, according to officials.

The State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF), a special force that saves people during emergencies, has rescued over 47,000 people from drowning between 2021 and October 2024. Despite these efforts, drowning deaths remain high, indicating a need for improved water safety.

SDERF works to reduce drowning deaths by saving people in dangerous situations. To be ready for water-related emergencies, SDERF personnel are trained in special techniques to rescue people from water. This 40-day training takes place in Pune, where they learn to use motorboats, swim, dive deep, and deal with floods and other water emergencies.

Manish Agarwal, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of SDERF, explains that the main goal of this training is to ensure the personnels are prepared to handle tough situations and save lives. He said, "Our jawans (personnel) are ready for any water-related disaster, and we ensure they have the best training."

From 2021 to October 9, 2024, SDERF conducted 560 rescue operations, saving over 9,000 lives from drowning. The number of rescues increased in 2022 and 2023, with SDERF rescuing 9,342 people in 2022 and 18,698 in 2023. In 2024 (up to October), 2,409 people were saved. 

Increase in drowning deaths

According to the National Crime Records Bureau's Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India report, drowning fatalities in Madhya Pradesh have risen. In 2019, the state recorded 4,904 drowning deaths, followed by 5,779 in 2020. In 2021, the number decreased slightly to 4,719, but in 2022, the state reported the highest number of drowning deaths in the country with 5,427 fatalities.

A Lancet report points out that the rate of years of life lost (YLL) by drowning was highest in the central states of Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Chhattisgarh and the northeastern state of Assam, accounting for 11% of all drowning deaths.

Drowning is not just a local issue in Madhya Pradesh but a global problem affecting thousands of lives a year. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), drowning is the third leading cause of accidental death worldwide, claiming over 236,000 lives annually.

The most vulnerable groups are young children, especially those aged 1 to 4. In countries like India, where water safety education and resources are limited, drowning rates are high.

Drowning risks are higher in poorer communities with limited access to swimming lessons, lifeguards, and water safety resources. In Madhya Pradesh, many drowning deaths occur in rural areas with unprotected and unmonitored water bodies, making them dangerous for children. 

Research shows young children, especially boys, are at greater drowning risk. These tragedies often happen when children are left unsupervised near water or attempt to swim without knowing how. Other factors, such as alcohol consumption and lack of water safety awareness, also contribute.

While SDERF and other agencies have worked hard to rescue drowning victims, more needs to be done to prevent these deaths.

Need for safety measures

Despite rising fatalities, government action on drowning prevention remains negligible. Water bodies, including lakes, ponds, rivers, beaches, and waterfalls, lack barriers, signage, lifeguards, and accessible floating equipment for emergencies. There’s little safety awareness, especially among children.

Much work remains to prevent drowning deaths in Madhya Pradesh and India. Local governments, communities, and organisations must collaborate. A key step is to increase funding for water safety programs and provide free swimming lessons to children, especially in rural areas.

drowning deaths in Madhya Pradesh
Recent series of drownings highlights a troubling surge in drowning incidents across the state. Photo credit: Ground Report

Local authorities can collaborate with NGOs and community groups to educate people about water safety. Raising awareness about drowning risks and encouraging families to stay alert around water bodies will be key to reducing accidents. Experts recommend installing safety barriers around risky water bodies, especially in rural areas.

Stronger safety measures needed 

A senior official from the State Disaster Management Authority, who wished to remain anonymous, emphasized the need for stronger measures. "Despite the efforts of agencies like SDERF, drowning deaths remain high. More stringent actions are needed to ensure safety around water bodies. Awareness campaigns, improved infrastructure, and greater community involvement are essential to preventing such tragedies."

The official added, "Our data from the past few years shows that drowning deaths remain unacceptable. In 2023 alone, we had over 1,000 drowned bodies recovered, highlighting the issue. No matter how many rescues are made, the loss of life is a growing concern."

He highlighted the importance of community engagement, stating, “The role of the community in prevention cannot be overstated. Families, schools, and local authorities must collaborate to raise awareness and implement protective measures. It’s time to shift our focus from response to prevention.”

serve as a stark reminder of the dangers water bodies pose to young children in the absence of safety measures. While SDERF and emergency teams work tirelessly to save lives, drowning fatalities remain alarmingly high.

Gwalior garbage problem
Gwalior garbage problem Photograph: (Canva/napkin.ai)

The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported on December 13, 2024, that global drowning deaths have declined, but vulnerable populations remain at significant risk. Despite progress in reducing drowning fatalities, particularly in high-income countries, the most vulnerable groups, such as children, men, and those in low- and middle-income countries, continue to face high risks.

The report highlights that drowning remains a major public health concern, and efforts to reduce deaths must focus on improving water safety, increasing public awareness, and enhancing prevention measures in at-risk communities. To prevent more families from losing their loved ones to drowning, water safety must be prioritised by both local authorities and communities. By educating children, deploying lifeguards, improving infrastructure, and ensuring better supervision, we can make water bodies safer.

Support us to keep independent environmental journalism alive in India.

Keep Reading

California Fires Live updates: destructive wildfires in history

Hollywood Hills burning video is fake and AI generated

Devastating wildfire in California: wind, dry conditions to blame?

Los Angeles Cracks Under Water Pressure

From tourist paradise to waste wasteland: Sindh River Cry for help

Follow Ground Report on X, Instagram and Facebook for environmental and underreported stories from the margins. Give us feedback on our email id [email protected]

Don't forget to Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, Join our community on WhatsApp, and Follow our YouTube Channel for video stories.