Not every water body is meant to take a swim in

This picture has been used for representational purpose

Two teenage boys recently drowned after they went for a swim inside a dam in Thane District of Maharashtra. In reports, officials had stated that since there had been a robust rainfall this monsoon, the Chikhloli dam in which the boys perished, was filled to the brim. This dam supplies water to the residents of Ambernath.

We often have drowning incidents during the monsoon season. There are reports of people being swept away in the waters, or, death by drowning on picnics or elsewhere. This though comes after a month at least since the rains have abated.

We have to remember that swimming by amateurs should be done in a swimming pool. These are not places where you can go for a swim.

One understands that not everybody has access to swimming pools, club memberships are not for everybody. There are public pools though and if one cannot access these, then one should not swim.

There are stories of champions being made in local ponds and lakes, but there are stories of tragedies and disasters, too.

Water bodies are not for swimming. Rivers, lakes, ponds, or even dams. There may be currents that one is unaware of; the water may be much deeper than thought. In pools, water levels are marked. Waterfalls are also not to be swum in and even wading inside should be discouraged.

Except on some beaches, there are no lifeguards, too, at these spots and most of the time, it is too late by the time help reaches these places.

These are natural or in many cases, manmade water bodies that are made for other purposes, not swimming. Like in this case, the dam like all others was made for water supply. Keep away and most importantly, keep out is the message.