The Ernakulam district reported 27 drownings in April, giving me that sinking sensation once again

Residents of Muvattupuzha’s Randarkara neighborhood are still mourning the terrible deaths of Amina, 63, and her granddaughters Hana, 10, and Farha Fathima, 14, who went into the Kothayar River on April 5. They remember that the kids could effortlessly navigate the same waters on a regular basis.

 

In the district, where at least 27 drownings have been recorded since April 1, cases similar to this are on the increase. Interestingly, at least 16 of these 27 were under 30 years old. Six of them attended school.

Thirteen people drowned in the Periyar and its associated waterbodies. Eight occurrences occurred in the Muvattupuzha river and its tributaries.

In various bodies of water, such ponds, three people perished from drowning. After falling into their homes’ wells, two of them perished. In the waters off Kuzhuppilly, one person perished.

The death of Amina and her two grandkids, according to Muvattupuzha town member Abdul Khader Ajimon, was devastating. As usual, they had gone to have a dip in the river. Those who saw Amina in distress came running to assist her. Farha and Hana were also removed. When Amina and Farha arrived at a local hospital, they were pronounced dead. Hana passed away after two days.

“The incident happened near the section of the river where people often go for swims. Amina and the kids were highly experienced swimmers. Even in the rainy season, they could cross the river with ease. Abdul said, “People are still perplexed as to what went wrong.

While the Randarkara tragedy is yet unsolved, District Fire & Rescue Officer K Harikumar pointed out that accidents often happen when kids become excited and wander into uncharted territory. “Junior drownings increase throughout the summer vacation. Unpredictable undercurrents may be found in rivers. It may not be enough to just know the fundamentals of swimming, he suggested.

Even in the summer, when the water level seems low, there will be powerful undercurrents. Additionally, pits form along sections of the river. It is not advisable for anyone to enter rivers or other bodies of water unprepared.

Harikumar went on to say that some of the drownings that were recorded were suicides. A few mishaps were also brought on by drinking alcohol and entering waterbodies. He said, “We are running awareness campaigns throughout the district.”

Saji Valasseril, a well-known swimming instructor who has trained over 10,000 people for free in the Periyar waters of Aluva since 2010, emphasized that swimming should be taught in schools in Kerala, a state with 44 rivers, many backwaters, and a lengthy coastline.

“The majority of Keralans are not proficient swimmers. Learning to swim at an early age may help prevent drownings. He advocated for teaching students how to swim in rivers.

Youngster dies in brook, 6-year-old child drowns in pool

Jennifer, the six-year-old daughter of Shebin Sacariya, perished at the PVS Apartment in Desom, Aluva, on Monday, due to drowning. It is said that about 7 o’clock at night, she was playing on the first floor with pals when she slipped and fell into the pool. After being sent to a private hospital in Aluva, Jenifer was pronounced dead upon arrival. An inquiry into an unnatural death has been opened by the Chengamanad police. The girl’s corpse was given to her family on Tuesday after the autopsy. In the second instance, Amalapuram’s Kothayi Brook drowned Dibin, 24, son of Davis of Pereppadan House, Ayyampuzha. About 11:30 p.m., he vanished while taking a bath with a buddy. He was located and sent to a private hospital in Angamaly, where he was pronounced dead, after an hour-long search. Angamaly police have opened an investigation into what happened.