Rivers do not forgive carelessness

Mangaluru

The tragic drowning of a final-year engineering student in the Netravati river near Pajiradka in Belthangady recently, followed by the death of a pharmacy student from Gadag in the Kumaradhara river at Puttur yesterday, are not merely isolated accident reports. They are painful reminders of how a single careless moment near water can end a young life forever. Twenty-one-year-old Shripoorna, a student from Gokak studying in Ujire, had reportedly gone to the riverside with friends when strong currents swept the student away.

Despite rescue efforts by locals, Fire and Emergency Services personnel and the Shaurya disaster response team, the body was recovered only later in the night. In the latest incident, the deceased has been identified as Kiran, a pharmacy student studying in Puttur. According to reports, he had entered the Kumaradhara river with three other youths when he was swept away by strong currents and drowned. Dakshina Kannada has witnessed such tragedies far too often.

Almost every monsoon and summer, rivers across the coastal belt claim lives, mostly youngsters. Netravati, Kumaradhara, Phalguni and several smaller rivers have repeatedly become sites of tragedy. What begins as a picnic, swim, photography session or social media reel often ends in panic and irreversible loss. The danger lies in the false sense of safety these rivers create. Many stretches appear calm on the surface, but underneath flow unpredictable currents, sudden drops in depth, slippery rocks and hidden trenches formed by years of erosion. In coastal Karnataka, rivers are especially deceptive during pre-monsoon and monsoon periods.

Even when there is no rain locally, heavy rainfall upstream can suddenly increase water flow within minutes. Locals living near riverbanks understand this reality well. For generations, they have warned visitors not to enter unfamiliar stretches of water, especially during evenings or cloudy weather. Yet such warnings are often ignored by youngsters who either overestimate their swimming ability or underestimate the power of flowing water. The problem today is also cultural.

Adventure has increasingly become performative. Social media has turned risky behaviour into entertainment. Youngsters climb slippery rocks for photos, stand dangerously close to currents for videos or jump into rivers simply because others are doing it. In several drowning cases, alcohol consumption too has played a role in impairing judgement near water bodies. Yateesh Baikampady, Indian Red Cross Society District and State Committee member and volunteer associated with several rescue and disaster response efforts, says drowning tragedies have almost become a painful part of coastal history.

“Talk to any family in this region and you will find somebody connected to a drowning tragedy in the past. Despite repeated awareness drives, such casualties continue,” he says. According to him, long weekends and holidays often see groups of youngsters heading towards beaches, rivers, waterfalls and lakes without fully understanding the risks involved. “As parents too, we are partly responsible. We warn children not to go near water, but very few of us actually encourage them to learn swimming while growing up,” he points out. He believes Karnataka needs a large-scale “Swim & Survive” campaign that makes swimming and basic water survival skills part of school-level education.

“Many youth drowning cases involve alcohol. Sensitising youngsters and tourists about the dangers of these locations can prevent casualties,” he adds. Drawing from his experience during coastal beach management initiatives, Yateesh notes that trained lifeguards had saved 483 lives at Panambur, Someshwara and Kaup beaches during their tenure, proof that awareness, preparedness and timely intervention can save lives. With the monsoon now approaching Karnataka, the danger will only intensify.

The first rains may cool temperatures, but they also make rivers faster, deeper and more unpredictable. Water released from dams upstream, sudden flash currents and slippery embankments create deadly conditions even for experienced swimmers. This is why prevention cannot remain limited to post-tragedy condolences. Authorities must identify accident-prone river stretches and install visible warning boards in Kannada, English and other regional languages. Popular picnic spots should have barricaded danger zones and emergency contact details displayed prominently. During weekends and holidays, local administrations may even need temporary deployment of safety personnel in high-risk areas.

Educational institutions too must treat water safety awareness seriously, especially before monsoon vacations. Students coming from other districts may not fully understand the behaviour of coastal rivers. Awareness sessions and safety advisories can save lives. Families and friends also have a responsibility. Reckless river entry should never be encouraged as fun or bravery. Sometimes the most responsible decision is simply staying out of the water.

Behind every drowning statistic lies unfinished dreams, parents waiting for a child who will never return, classrooms left empty and futures erased within minutes. The deaths of Shripoorna and Kiran are not merely isolated tragedies. They are warnings. Rivers command respect, not overconfidence. And as the rains draw closer, that reminder becomes more urgent than ever.