MADURAI: With nearly 315 of instances of drowning deaths reported between 2022 and 2024 (till November 2024), Dindigul accounted for the highest number of such cases among the 10 districts in southern Tamil Nadu, according to data from the police department.
Of the total 1,948 drowning deaths in the past three years, 280 deaths were reported in Thoothukudi, followed by 254 in Kanniyakumari, 210 in Madurai, 195 in Theni, 173 in Tirunelveli, 172 in Ramanathapuram, 156 in Tenkasi, 103 in Sivaganga and 90 in Virudhunagar. 1,373 victims were male, 350 female and 260 were minors.
Of the 96 minors who died by drowning in 2022, a staggering 26 deaths were reported from Dindigul, while 16 deaths occurred in Thoothukudi, 15 in Tenkasi, 13 in Madurai and less than 10 in Theni, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari districts. No drowning deaths of minors were reported from Virudhunagar. Dindigul again topped this notorious list in 2023, accounting for 15 minor drowning deaths, followed by 13 deaths in Kanniyakumari, 12 in Sivaganga, 10 in Thoothukudi and less than 10 in Madurai, Theni, Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli and Tenkasi.
As of November 2024, 21 cases of minors drowning to death have been reported in Dindigul district, followed by 13 in Madurai, 12 in Tirunelveli, 11 in Tenkasi, nine in Thoothukudi, eight in Ramanathapuram, six in Sivaganga and Kanniyakumari, and three in Theni.
R Priya Kumar (34), a school teacher from Dindigul said that according to the World Health Organization, drowning deaths continue to be a major public health issue and over 30 people die by drowning every year, and three lakh people died in 2021. Such deaths can be prevented by strengthening public awareness. As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report of 2022, Tamil Nadu is among the top five states with most drowning deaths, she said.
Madurai Nature Culture Foundation member Tamildhasan said that in terms of deaths at quarries and illegal pits, residents near such places are most affected. Pits at abandoned and illegal quarries must be closed properly to prevent instances of drowning, he said.
An official from the Madurai district administration said they create awareness among people not to swim in deep waters or avoid deeper areas in waterbodies if they cannot swim. However, such drowning deaths continue to occur. Specific waterbodies were fenced, and warning sign boards have been put up at some abandoned quarries. We will also raise awareness among people and people must also follow safety regulations, the official said.