Expressing serious concerns over the recent drowning incidents, Kushavati district Collector, Egna Cleetus, IAS has issued directions to the Sub-divisional Magistrate to conduct awareness programmes in schools in collaboration with the Assistant Director of Education and Police officials.
The Collector has also instructed the BDO and Village Panchayat representatives to explore the possibility of convening Special Gram Sabha meetings to create awareness about the dangers of entering unsafe water bodies.
The instructions were issued at a meeting convened by the Collector to discuss concerns arising from recent drowning incidents reported in Dharbandora Taluka, in the presence of Tikam Singh Verma, Superintendent of Police, and Ramesh Gaonkar, Additional Collector-II, Kushavati District.
Other officials present at the meeting included the SDM, Mamlatdar, and BDO of Dharbandora Taluka, along with Village Panchayat Secretaries and Sarpanches.
During the meeting, the SDM, Dharbandora, presented a detailed analysis of drowning cases reported over the past eight months.
Dharbandora Taluka has witnessed eight drowning incidents in the last eight months, resulting in several fatalities, particularly among students and visitors.
The SDM pointed out that a total of 17 vulnerable drowning points have been identified, adding that the major contributing factors include lack of awareness about river conditions, alcohol consumption, picnicking in isolated areas, multiple access routes to riverbanks, and unsafe swimming activities.
To prevent further incidents, officials said that precautionary signboards have been installed, regular police patrolling is being carried out, and coordination among stakeholders has been strengthened. Further, awareness programmes, warning signage, community sensitisation initiatives.
The SDM has proposed identification of safe swimming and picnicking zones to enhance public safety.
The Superintendent of Police Tikam Singh Verma informed that beach Police personnel have been instructed to undertake regular patrolling of vulnerable locations. Panchayat officials were told to promptly report instances of unsafe swimming or other risky activities in water bodies so that necessary preventive measures can be taken.
