Abdul Wahab Khan
Panaji
Goa’s beaches, rivers, lakes and waterfalls may paint a postcard-perfect image for the world, but beneath the shimmering sea waves and the serene waters of the lakes lies a grim reality.
Over the past five years, the state has witnessed 800 drowning deaths, which means, on an average, an individual meets a watery grave every two days, a chilling reminder that the lure of water can often turn fatal.
North Goa has accounted for 419 such deaths, with South Goa recording 381 deaths, according to the official data from the revenue department.
Despite fencing undertaken around abandoned quarries, lifeguards present on beaches and the government coming out with advisories, drowning deaths continue to make news in Goa. Experts have warned that a combination of negligence, thrill-seeking behaviour and disregard for prohibitory orders has kept the
toll high.
The government has formed a committee to monitor the mining areas for pits, while community awareness drives are being conducted through schools, panchayats and local bodies. Yet, officials admit that enforcement has limits. “You can fence a quarry but you cannot fence a river or sea. Ultimately, public responsibility is crucial,” said a senior revenue officer.
In 2020, 147 lives were cut short by drowning, with 65 deaths occurring in the North district and 82 in South. The following year saw 146 fatalities, split almost evenly – 74 in North and 72 in South. The toll dipped slightly in 2022 to 141 with 82 drowning deaths in North Goa compared to 59 in South Goa.
A total of 163 people met a watery grave in the state in 2023. Ninety two of these deaths occurred in the North district, while 71 deaths were recorded in the South. The year 2024 brought some relief with 120 deaths recorded – 61 in North district and 59 in South. However, the respite was short-lived.
With 83 drowning deaths already recorded in the first six months of this year, 2025 could end as yet another high-fatality period for deaths occurring due to drowning. Forty five of the total drowning deaths recorded till June this year occurred in North, while 38 occurred in the South district.
Mandovi, Zuari, Sal, Usgao, Borim and Okambi rivers together accounted for 270 drowning deaths. Powerful currents, unpredictable depths and the absence of regulated entry points make the riverbanks perilous, especially in rural stretches where people still depend on these water sources for bathing, fishing and religious immersions.
Wells have emerged as a silent killer, with 80 drowning deaths recorded, including suicides reported across the state in the last five years.
A total of 55 individuals drowned along the popular beach stretches such as Calangute, Baga, Vagator, Anjuna, Kegdolem, Miramar, Keri, Sinquerim, Benaulim, Colva, Mobor, Agonda and Palolem. Ignoring red flag warnings, tourists often wade into the treacherous waters during monsoon only to be swept away within seconds. Lifeguards intervene regularly but not every operation ends in a rescue.
Abandoned stone quarries in Bicholim, Chimbel and Dharbandora recorded seven incidents of drowning deaths, while two lives were lost in mining pits in Sattari and Bicholim. Sixteen abandoned quarries have been identified in South Goa, with 13 already fenced using barbed wire, while three are in the process of being fenced. Fencing of four laterite quarries in North Goa – one each in Bicholim and Pernem and two in Sattari – is nearing completion, according to the government data, while two more quarries have received the nod for undertaking fencing.
Lakes have added to the toll with 33 deaths reported in Carambolim, Raia, Curtorim, Tolleband in Benaulim, Dicarpali in Sao jose de Areal, Pangatem in Shiroda and at Nanda lake.
Nineteen individuals drowned in private resort swimming pools. Canals too contributed to the toll, with 20 drowning deaths reported across Hasapur, Chandel, Nanoda, Balli, Quepem, Paroda, Davorlim and Cacumodii in Curchorem.
Goa’s famed waterfalls at Harvalem, Surla, Dudhsagar and Mainapi in Netravali were no exception, together claiming 11 lives despite repeated government warnings.
Faced with the mounting deaths, both the district collectors have invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, banning swimming, bathing or entering natural water bodies such as rivers, waterfalls, lakes and quarries.
