Drowning: A neglected public health crisis

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A placard held by a student during a protest after three civil services aspirants died due to drowning at a coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar area, in New Delhi, on July 29, 2024. | Photo Credit: PTI

The untold tragedy of three IAS aspirants who drowned to death in the basement of their coaching centre in New Delhi’s Old Rajinder Nagar, is a macabre reminder that anyone can drown, anywhere. Ironically, this grim but entirely preventable incident, which occurred due to callous negligence and lax regulations, took place two days after countries observed Drowning Prevention Day — a WHO led global event, held annually to raise awareness about this leading cause of death.

The world is drowning. Rising seas, maximum cities, spiralling poverty and risky livelihoods, 120 million forcibly displaced people, children who make perilous journeys to reach schools – all these conditions are colliding to make death by drowning a haunting and increasingly frequent occurrence. Studies have warned that in the not so distant future ravaged by cyclones, hurricanes, tsunamis and floods, our exposure to water will amplify manifold. Most at risk will be children under 10 and adolescents who already account for half of all drowning deaths.

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