Death cases due to drowning increase at high-risk tourist spots in Mandya district

Selfie craze and swimming adventure have lead to mishaps

Mysuru: Drowning deaths have become a cause of concern in Mandya district. Seven people have died of drowning in the district in the last 40 days (January-February).

Two women were washed away while bathing in River Cauvery, at Muthathi, near Halagur, Malavalli taluk, Mandya district, on February 15. The deceased are Shobha (23) and Nadiya (19), from Ganalu village, Kanakapura taluk, Ramanagar district.

A 35-year-old man from Mysuru drowned in River Cauvery in Srirangapatna on February 6. Two children were washed away in the canal in Pandavapura taluk when their mother was taking a selfie with them on January 28.

A 19-year-old engineering student from Naganahalli, Mysuru taluk, drowned in the Cauvery river while swimming at Balamuri in Srirangapatna taluk, Mandya district, on January 15.

A 21-year-old youth from Bengaluru, who went for a swim in River Cauvery drowned at Muthathi in Malavalli taluk, Mandya district, on January 4.

According to the data available from the Mandya police, 410 people have lost their lives due to drowning at various tourist places in the Mandya district, including Balamuri, Muthathi and others over the last three years.

This includes 139 drowning deaths in 2022, 139 in 2023 and 132 in 2024. Mostly the selfie-obsessed tourists and revellers have lost their lives.

At Balamuri, 83 tourists have lost their lives in 10 years - from 2008 to 2017. A majority of them were youths, including students, employees and techies.

In the last five years, the number of drowning deaths (up to July 2024) at Balamuri is 32. Similarly, it is 30 at Muthathi in Malavalli taluk.

Mandya district is popular for several picnic spots, including Balamuri and Yedamuri in Srirangapatna taluk and Muthathi in Malavalli taluk, that have turned into accident zones, with many meeting a watery grave.

The police officials said that most of these incidents occurred because of the carelessness of those who entered the water, without being aware of the factors that ultimately claimed their lives.

Mandya Superintendent of Police Mallikarjuna Baladandi told DH that it is mostly the selfie-obsessed tourists and revellers who are at risk.

"The police personnel are deployed at such spots, during holidays and vacation, when the tourist inflow is more to alert them about the danger," he said.

Besides, boards have been erected cautioning about the danger of getting deep into the water. People visit these spots in groups and engage in restricted activities for thrill which leads to mishaps. The trend of taking selfies and recording vlogs and videos at these locations proves fatal.

According to the locals, most of the fatalities involve young individuals, who attempt to enter deep waters, despite lacking swimming skills.

There is a shortage of police to prevent people from entering deep waters. Iron grill fence should be installed to prevent water mishaps, they said.

Swimming experts said that the primary cause of accidental drowning around tourist spots is the 'lack of adequate swimming skills' among the people.

There is a need to teach swimming to children in schools, especially in rural areas, where children frequently play near lakes and ponds. Everyone, including expert swimmers, should be prohibited from entering deep waters vat tourist places, they said.