Andhra Pradesh Grapples with High Drowning Deaths, Yet No Survival Swimming Training for Children
Visakhapatnam: Drowning deaths in Andhra Pradesh remain a grave concern, yet concrete measures to impart survival swimming training to children are absent. On average, four to six people drown every day in the state, with most victims being youngsters. Over the past few years, at least 1,400 to 1,600 persons have died annually due to drowning, with children and adolescents comprising a significant percentage.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report on accidental deaths and suicides in India, drowning claimed 12,479 lives in 12,269 incidents across Andhra Pradesh between 2017 and 2024. The NCRB classifies drowning deaths into three categories: boat capsizes, accidental falls into water bodies, and other causes. Data reveals that 66 boat capsize incidents resulted in 86 deaths during this period. Accidental falls into water bodies accounted for over 90 percent of the total drowning deaths in the state.
Most drowning incidents occur during summer (April and May) and winter (November and December), as people venture into water bodies to beat the heat or enjoy picnics. A senior police officer in the Vizag region noted that in most cases, youngsters who did not know how to swim fell victim. Recently, five people drowned in the Tungabhadra River near Mantralayam in Kurnool district after being swept away by strong currents while bathing. Police attribute the rise in drowning deaths to unfamiliarity with water bodies—including rivers, reservoirs, waterfalls, and beaches—and individuals lacking basic swimming knowledge.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends teaching swimming and water safety skills to school-age children. However, swimming has not been included in the school curriculum in Andhra Pradesh due to various reasons. In contrast, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra, with support from organizations, have initiated survival swimming training for children to reduce drowning deaths.
Balaram Naidu, Founder of Livein Adventures and AP State President for Royal Life Saving Society India, emphasized the need for such training in Andhra Pradesh. “Drowning is one of the unrecognized threats, and the majority of youngsters have no knowledge of swimming. There is an urgent need to initiate survival swimming training for children to prevent these tragedies,” he said.
