Thiruvananthapuram, July 26 (UNI) As many as 352 people including children and foreign nationals have died due to drowning in the capital district of Kerala alone between 2019 and 2025, according to data from the State Fire and Rescue Department.
Highlighting the gravity of these tragic incidents, the district administration has launched a state-wide anti-drowning campaign in observance of World Drowning Prevention Day.
The majority of drowning victims are boys, and even skilled swimmers have fallen victim to such incidents. To address this, awareness programs on drowning prevention will be conducted in all schools.
The campaign, promoted under the slogan “Jeevanam – A Battle for Caution with Life,” will be intensified on social media platforms, District Collector Anu Kumari said. The initiative aims to raise awareness about water safety and implement preventive measures to reduce such tragedies.
The administration has identified 16 high-risk drowning zones in the district. In response, the district authorities—supported by the Fire and Rescue Services, Tourism Department, and Local Self-Government Institutions—are taking steps to officially declare these zones under the Disaster Management Act.
The identified hazardous locations include: Kallar, Kollam Puzha, Aruvippuram, Mankayam, Chellanchi, Palode, Aruvikkara Dam, Vattiyoorkavu Aayiravalli Thampuran Temple Kadavu, Neyyar Reservoir, Moonattumukku, Anandeshwaram, Poovanpara, Kundamankadavu, Koovakkudi Bridge, Aruvippuram, and Pozhikkara.
As part of a year-long initiative, various measures will be implemented, including the installation of warning signs, the enhancement of public awareness—especially in rural areas—and the organization of water safety programs. Steps are also being taken to appoint lifeguards and establish first aid posts in these high-risk zones.
Additionally, live demonstrations and awareness classes will be conducted in schools and for individuals working in water-related sectors, under the leadership of the Fire and Rescue Department.
