Days after recent drownings, DC bans bathing in canals

The Ludhiana district administration has prohibited bathing in water bodies, including canals, drains and streams passing through residential localities, in the wake of recent drownings.

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Although the order does not directly reference the two tragic incidents in which five families lost their children to drowning in the Sidhwan Canal and Ganda Nulha, Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain has cited the rising water level and intensified current in these bodies due to heavy rainfall as the primary cause for concern.

“It has been brought to my notice that water level has risen and current intensified in water bodies including canals, choes, drains and streams passing through Ludhiana district due to heavy rains. Danger of some untoward incidents looms when some persons or children visit these water bodies to beat scorching heat by bathing in deep waters,” reads the opening paragraph of the order passed by Deputy Commissioner Jain, prohibiting bathing in local water bodies.

The administration has been on high alert in recent days, responding to public distress and rising anger among the bereaved families.

The grieving families believe that their children may not have ventured to the Ganda Nulha or Sidhwan Canal if they had not been home during the ongoing summer vacation period.

Ashiq Ansari (10), Parkash (14), Molu alias Sahil (10), Manish and Golu drowned in different water bodies passing through the city over the past few days.

Swimming in local water bodies during summer vacations has been a common practice across this part of the Malwa region. However, the practice often turns dangerous, particularly during the monsoon season.