EDITORIAL
Authorities must involve local communities to make drowning prevention more effective
Today is World Drowning Prevention Day. It has been observed by the UN since 2021 to highlight the tragic and profound impact of drowning on families and communities and offer life-saving solutions to prevent it. It is estimated that around 3 lakh people die due to drowning across the world every year. More than 38,000 died of drowning in India in 2024. Of these, 106 people died in Goa. Drowning is among the leading causes of death for children aged 5-14 years. As the world observes World Drowning Prevention Day today, it is a stark reminder that despite decades of interventions and thousands of rescues, drowning remains a persistent and tragic reality in the state, with hardly any broad prevention efforts.
Goa was among the first to recognise this challenge and launch a system to prevent drowning off its beaches. This was way back in October 2008, when Drishti lifeguarding agency was engaged. That year, 23.7 lakh tourists, including 3.5 lakh foreigners, visited Goa. Presently, the government boasts of tourist footfalls crossing one crore in 2025. With a large number of tourists rushing to Goa’s beaches, some holding beer bottles and cans, the job of the lifesavers has become challenging. Lifeguards and locals cite drunken revelry as the single biggest factor behind drownings. There is a blatant disregard for authority. Lifesavers on the beaches often face arguments and aggression from tourists. Every week sees tourists rescued by the lifesavers.
Besides beaches, Goa’s rivers and other waterbodies also attract hundreds of tourists and locals on weekends and holidays during the monsoon. Abandoned stone quarry pits that fill up during the rains are among the bathing attractions for youngsters. In the post-pandemic period, influencers and others popularised Goa’s “hidden gems”—waterfalls and quarries. Several youngsters have died in waterfalls, stone quarry pits and rivulets in the past few years. Sudden currents and unpredictable water depths easily overpower even experienced swimmers. The government was slow in tackling the situation arising out of the large number of youngsters rushing to the waterfalls. Later, it came out with a list of regulated rivulets, waterfalls, etc. Drishti lifesavers are posted at the notified waterfalls and other waterbodies. Earlier this week, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte urged tourists and social media influencers to act responsibly, warning against visits to unauthorised waterfalls and quarry pits promoted online as “hidden gems”. For the “super reel”, some venture into risky spots. Lifeguards have been posted at new waterbody spots frequented by youngsters. However, much more needs to be done. Many nearby panchayats are also active on their own.
To prevent drowning, the authorities can engage locals, many of whom possess knowledge about seasonal water flows, hidden rocks and changing river conditions. By training and compensating local youth as ‘Safety Marshals’, the state can have a new localised wing to take care of such eventualities. Some mechanism has to be in place to prevent deaths in quarry pits. Tourism is Goa’s mainstay, and we cannot afford to get our image tarnished due to drownings. Safety guidelines and the dangers of rip currents should be aggressively promoted at airports, railway stations and hotel lobbies. Shack operators and hoteliers must be roped in to constantly remind guests of water safety rules. For locals too, such information should be given through their colleges and official social media platforms. Many private schools teach their children swimming. The same could be made available to other schools too. Swimming and water survival skills are a big asset.
Hopefully, the authorities will ponder over the situation and take appropriate steps to prevent tragedies as we mark World Drowning Prevention Day.
