Watery grave becomes the norm

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The Fire Force Department with the support of the district administration is planning a campaign to spread awareness about hidden dangers posed by rivers and ponds in Ernakulam.

According to department sources, such a campaign was mooted at a meeting of the officials on Sunday following a spurt in incidents of drowning in the district. Five people had lost their lives in three separate drowning incidents in the district on Sunday.

“We are planning a media campaign to spread awareness. Advertisements may be given media about the dangers in entering river waters, especially by those who are not familiar with the rivers,” a top official of the department told DC.

“Most of the victims are youth who are visiting relatives or picnic spots. The incidents of drowning have gone up since the summer vacations,” he said.

The department is also planning to propose deployment of lifeguards at various points on the banks of rivers Periyar and Moovattupuzha, two prominent rivers flowing through the district. ''Life guards facility can be expanded to rivers as well,” he said.

It may be recalled that the presence of lifeguards saved the lives of two teenagers at Fort Kochi South beach on February 16.

The 15-year old kids -- Hadlin Rhodrings and Christin Antony of Mundamveli in Kochi -- were taking bath at the beach when they were carried away by the low current and the life guards jumped into the waters to save them.

Scuba divers in different stations

The Fire Force Department has a dozen scuba divers in the district but they are posted in three different stations.

On Sunday, it had to summon them from Ernakulam, Mattacherry and Aluva stations to launch the rescue operation at Karumaloor, near Aluva, where a youth, T.Rajesh, got drowned.

Local people alleged that the Fire Force personnel came very late. But Fire Force department insisted that its divers did take part in the rescue operations.

“But we had our limitations. The scuba divers are posted in different stations. The traffic congestion usually delays our efforts,” an official of the department said.