Resist deadly urge to take a dip in water bodies

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Two Mumbai residents, both adults, seem to have drowned recently. One slipped and fell into the waters and his body was retrieved from a dam. Another went missing in a river. An official has warned that numerous people are visiting water bodies now that it is peak summer. Yet, it is important that they simply do not plunge in as currents are deceptive.

Moreover it is vital that people do not skirt the edges of the water bodies, mistakenly confident that they will not slip and fall. Some of them balance precariously on slick rocks very close to the water. Sometimes there are at least three to four people on a ledge, all of them trying to make space for each other, when it is obvious that there is very little room and there is a very real danger of being pushed off or falling over into the water because of the crowding.

At times, people may even think that there is enough distance between themselves and the water body. You cannot, however, guarantee that. One can easily slip down and be carried a certain distance away. At times, people may think that it will be easy for them to hold onto a ledge, branch or some kind of support if they slip near the water. This, too, is dangerous because that may not work in the long run, as the support may be wet and difficult to hold onto because of the water.

As summer scorches, we will see more groups on day trips and the onset of the monsoon also has groups near water bodies. The former for respite, the latter to enjoy the greenery and weather. One cannot stress enough the importance of keeping distance between yourself and the water. Stay behind the barricades if there are any. If not, simply stay many metres behind as that safe space, or your vantage point may be very dangerous and the water will take you away in a trice.