Raiganj/Kolkata: With 27 drowning deaths reported over four months, Uttar Dinajpur has launched its first coordinated government-led initiative to prevent further deaths. At a workshop in Raiganj on Thursday, officials proposed pond fencing, household awareness campaigns and life-saving training.
The workshop was organised by the Office of the District Magistrate and Collector in collaboration with Child in Need Institute (CINI), with technical support from the RNLI. Representatives from disaster management, health, the District Legal Services Authority, social welfare, ICDS and the District Child Protection Unit attended.
Findings from a 2023–24 statewide survey presented at the workshop indicated an average of 25 drowning deaths a day in West Bengal, including 12 children. An estimated annual average of 405 drowning incidents in Uttar Dinajpur was also presented.
District Disaster Management Officer Suman Kalyan Roy urged that Anganwadi workers be engaged in household awareness campaigns. He emphasised keeping children away from ponds and other water bodies when alone and ensuring adult supervision. He said post-mortem examinations were not conducted in many deaths, particularly those involving children, leaving gaps in documentation.
Roy said eligible families could receive Rs 4 lakh in government assistance for drowning deaths associated with natural disasters, subject to applicable rules. He urged that awareness meetings explain eligibility, post-mortem requirements, necessary documentation and the application process.
District epidemiologist Dr. Nilkamal Barman called for water safety education in schools and CPR training for the public. He said trained community members could provide initial life-saving assistance when drowning or another cause leads to cardiac arrest.
District Legal Services Authority Secretary Kadambari Adhikari raised pond owners’ responsibilities for safety and discussed action under applicable law where negligence results in death. She assured participants that affected families would receive free legal assistance when needed, including help in accessing government assistance.
District Social Welfare Officer Malay Chatterjee proposed school awareness activities through Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and child protection programmes. He also suggested including CPR in government training. ICDS representatives discussed the possibility of fencing hazardous ponds near Anganwadi centres.
Asit Ranjan Das of the District Child Protection Unit said that there were five ponds near his home and that he had witnessed three drowning incidents in the area. He committed to fencing the ponds near his home and proposed forming a district team of master trainers to deliver practical training.
Sujoy Roy, Lead, Injury Prevention and National Advocacy at CINI, explained prevention measures drawing on eight years of experience. He outlined ways to take the work forward in line with guidance from the World Health Organization and the Government of India.
Sushobhan Das, Head of CINI’s Uttar Dinajpur District Unit, said that regular training and awareness programmes would be organised in coordination with government departments. Officials expressed hope that implementing the initiative across the district would advance efforts towards zero preventable drowning deaths.
