1,772 people have died by drowning in Odisha in the past three years, showing an upward trend

In the State over the previous three years, a total of 1,772 people have drowned in various water bodies, including rivers and the sea.In response to a question from BJD MLA from Dharamgarh Mousadhi Bag in the Odisha Assembly on Monday, Minister of State for Home Tusharkanti Behera made this revelation in writing.

According to the breakdown provided by the Minister, 726 people will drown in 2022, 576 in 2021, and 469 in 2020. A detailed examination of the statistics reveals that the State’s drowning fatality rate has significantly increased. While the number of drowning deaths increased by 22.81% in 2021 compared to 2020, the instances also

The Minister informed that Fire Services personnel and emergency services personnel with necessary equipment are deployed at vulnerable places near river banks during festivals for rescue purposes. He said that necessary measures are being taken to create awareness among people to avoid bathing in the river at vulnerable points.

Since there has been an increasing trend of drowning in rivers and sea in the State, all Fire Station employees have been asked to identify such vulnerable places in respective areas under their jurisdiction and take steps to generate awareness, he added.