widely celebrated as the City of Lakes, is witnessing a grim trend as its picturesque water bodies turn into fatal hazards. Seeking respite from the soaring temperature, several visitors venture into deep waters, leading to tragic outcomes. Over the past 3 years, more than 80 individuals have drowned in major reservoirs including Upper Lake, Kerwa, Kaliasot, Halali Dam, and various rural ponds. Despite a sharp rise in casualties during summers and monsoon, local safety measures remain heavily inadequate. A ground-level inspection reveals that Sheetal Das ki Bagia Ghat at Upper Lake has emerged as the most critical accident hotspot. Crowds of children, youth and women bathe here regularly, often misjudging the water’s depth. Many also venture deep to search for discarded coins. Similar hazardous conditions persist at other unbarricaded ghats.

 

The death toll has surged year-on-year, with 36 drowning incidents recorded across Kohefiza, Shyamla Hills, and Talaiya in 2024, which climbed past 40 in 2025. In the current year, 2026, over 10 lives have already been lost. Two tragic incidents have recently underscored these administrative gaps. On April 18, 2026, a 15-year-old student, Dheeraj Soni, drowned near Kali Ghat Temple at Lower Lake, with his body recovered only the following day. Earlier, on July 8, 2025, a chemical scientist, Venkatesh Naidu, slipped and drowned near Kaliasot Dam. In response, residents like Raj Kumar have demanded permanent deployment of trained lifeguards and increased police patrolling.