Bhopal’s Lakes, Dams Turn Death Traps

Bhopal: The City of Lakes is witnessing a worrying rise in drowning incidents, with 119 people losing their lives in accidental drowning incidents across major water bodies over the past three years between 2023 and 2025. Police data shows that victims drowned in Upper Lake, Lower Lake, Kerwa Dam, Kaliasot Dam, Hathaikheda Dam, Goda Pachad Dam, rural ponds and water-filled quarries located on the city outskirts.This year alone, 11 accidental drowning deaths have already been reported till May 31. Police officials said most incidents occur during the summer months when people enter lakes, dams and ponds for bathing or recreation. The number of cases typically rises further during the monsoon season.Apart from accidental drownings, 75 people died by suicide after jumping into water bodies between 2023 and 2025. Between January and May this year, nine such suicide cases have been reported.Shital Das Ki Bagiya among vulnerable spots:Officials have identified Shital Das Ki Bagiya ghat on Upper Lake as one of the city’s most accident-prone drowning hotspots. The ghat attracts large numbers of children, youths and women every day for swimming and bathing.Despite the deployment of Bhopal Municipal Corporation divers who regularly warn visitors against entering deep water, people continue to ignore safety advisories.The danger of the spot was highlighted on May 24 when Rahul Yadav, a resident of Roshanpura, drowned while bathing in the lake with friends. Officials said he slipped and sank into deep water and could not be rescued in time.Cops said the ghat witnesses large gatherings every morning and evening, including minors who come to learn swimming. In the absence of regulated access and adequate safety measures, the area has become highly vulnerable to accidents.Three days later, On May 27, a 24-year-old man drowned while bathing in the Upper Lake near Suraj Nagar under Ratibad police station limits. Streams of Kerwa and Kaliasot Dams are also identied as drowing accident prone hotspots where people visit in large numbers.Quarries, ponds on city outskirts also emerge as hotspots:Several water-filled quarries and ponds in Ratibad, Kajlikheda, Ayodhya Nagar and adjoining areas have also emerged as drowning hotspots. On May 27, a 12-year-old boy drowned in a pond at Kalapani village in Kajlikheda while bathing with friends.In another tragic incident reported in April, a 17-year-old boy slipped into a pond at Daulatpura Thikriya village under Parwalia area. His 15-year-old cousin jumped in to save him, but both drowned. Family members managed to pull them out, but the boy had died and the girl succumbed while being taken to hospital.Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar said warning signboards have already been installed at many water bodies across the city to alert people about the dangers of entering deep water. He said police would write to the concerned agencies to install warning boards at locations where such signage is missing.He added that police teams regularly patrol areas around lakes, dams and other water bodies and advise visitors not to enter the water where warning boards have been installed. Police would further intensify patrolling around water bodies to prevent drowning incidents and ensure compliance with safety advisories.