Cops, fire force on guard to avert drownings this vacation season

Precautionary boards being placed at risky spots, lifeguards at beaches to be on high alert

- TOBY ANTONY @Kochi

AS April begins, the police and fire departments in Ernakulam are bracing up for a challenging period, given the district's history of drowning incidents. This year, however, the authorities are taking proactive measures to reduce the number of casualties, particularly during the school vacation period.

In April 2024, around 27 people lost their lives in various drowning incidents, with children and youngsters making up a majority of the victims. On April 1, 2025, three people, including a toddler, drowned in separate incidents reported in Kothamangalam and North Paravoor.

"We are aware that drowning incidents spike during the vacation period, especially in April," Ernakulam Rural Police Chief Vaibhav Saxena told TNIE.