Absence of survival swimming skills fuels rising drowning deaths in AP

Visakhapatnam: Though drowning deaths in Andhra Pradesh are a cause of concern, there are no concrete measures to impart survival swimming training to children to reduce drowning deaths in the state. On average, 4 to 6 people drown every day in the state. Most of the victims in such incidents are youngsters. Over the past few years, at least 1,400-1,600 persons have died every year in Andhra Pradesh by drowning-- young children and adolescents constituting a significant percentage of this number.

According to the NCRB’s report on accidental deaths and suicides in India, drowning claimed 12,479 lives in 12,269 incidents across Andhra Pradesh between 2017 and 2024. The NCRB classifies drowning deaths into three categories_ boat capsize, accidental falls into water bodies, and other causes. Data shows 66 boat capsize incidents claimed 86 lives in the state during this period. Accidental fall into water bodies accounted for over 90 per cent of the total drowning deaths in the state.

Most of the drowning deaths have been reported at water bodies during the summer (April and May) and in winter period (November and December) as people venture into water bodies to beat the summer heat and joy trips (picnic season) in the winter period. The drowning deaths in parts of Andhra Pradesh have raised serious concern, exposing the dangers of water bodies. In most cases, youngsters who did not know how to swim fell victim, said a senior police officer in Vizag region.

A few days ago, five people drowned in the Tungabhadra River near Mantralayam of Kurnool district. They were swept away by strong currents in the river while they were taking a bath. The police attributed the rise in drowning deaths to unfamiliarity with water bodies, including rivers, reservoirs, waterfalls, and beaches, as well as individuals venturing into waters without basic swimming knowledge.

Teaching swimming and water safety skills to school-age children is a strategy recommended by the WHO. However, swimming was not included as part of the school curriculum due to various reasons.

Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra governments with the support of few organizations initiated to impart survival swimming training to children to reduce drowning deaths. There is need to initiate such training to children in Andhra Pradesh as drowning is one of the unrecognized threats and majority of the youngsters have no knowledge in swimming, said Founder of Livein Adventures and AP State President for Royal Life Saving Society India, Balaram Naidu.