HYDERABAD: Locals call it the ‘jinxed’ or ‘cursed’ lake. For good reason. Over 12 people have drowned in Umda Sagar lake, in the span of a single month.
Strangely, it continues to attract kids who sneak into the lake for a potentially fatal swim. This despite stern warnings by parents. Children of Ghouse Nagar, RGK-Phase 1 and Mustafa Hills frequent the lake through various routes dodging the eyes of their parents.
“If one child goes, many others follow. They lie saying they are going to play cricket nearby and sneak into the lake,” said K Vishal of RGK Phase 1.
The lake bed reportedly has marshes and aquatic plants on one side and sharp rocks and depressions on the other, enough to catch even the best of swimmers by surprise.
It is not that the children do not know the dangers of venturing into the lake, but they say that the water tempts them to take a leap.
“Sometimes we think of not going into the water, but as soon as we reach the bank, someone would say, ‘Eh, kuch nahin hota’ (nothing would happen) and take off his clothes. Others would follow him invariably,” said 12-year-old K Suresh, who still goes to the lake every afternoon surreptitiously, while his mother is asleep.
“Though we have increased patrolling around the lake, we cannot set up boards warning against swimming due to lack of funds. The lake is Irrigation department’s responsibility and our work is only enforcement,” Rajendranagar ACP K Ganga Reddy said.
The State Human Rights Commission had sought reports on the drownings in Umda Sagar by June 20 from district, police and HMDA officials.
However, there is no word of the report even after passage of 10 days of the deadline. “The final report is not yet prepared. We will file it soon,” said Ganga Reddy.