KARACHI:
A city by the sea has its own charm, ranging from stunning sea views to hypnotic sunrises and sunsets, mesmerizing music of the tides and a relaxed atmosphere. However, it is not without risks: coastal cities are vulnerable to disasters such as cyclones, storm surges, flooding and erosion.
Fortunately, Karachi has been largely spared from sea-induced calamities. Some would attribute it to the city’s patron saint, Abdullah Shah Ghazi, whose shrine stands on a mound just a stone’s throw from the sea.
Apart from that, the sea devours several lives every year when bathers and revelers venture into the depths of the waters without taking into account official warnings and the risks involved.
In the year 2024, as many as 185 sunbathers and revelers, including women and children, drowned in the metropolis, according to statistics published on Friday by the Edhi Foundation. However, these figures are not limited to drownings at sea; They also include incidents of drowning in the city’s rivers, canals and wells.
The highest number of drowning deaths occurred during the summer months of June and July: 48 people drowned during this two-month period alone, the Edhi Foundation report reveals.
According to the breakdown, six drowning deaths were reported in January; nine in February; 21 in March; 19 in April; 22 in May; 24 in June; 24 in July; 17 in August; 15 in September; 13 in October; eight in November; seven in December (until December 20). “The victims of these incidents included people of all ages, from children to teenagers and adults,” added a spokesperson for the Edhi Foundation.
The Edhi Foundation and the police have repeatedly warned sunbathers and revelers to take greater preventive measures to reduce the frequency of drowning incidents, which continue to claim lives every year.
These statistics from the Edhi Foundation report once again highlight the importance of water safety, especially during the summer months when the risk of drowning increases significantly.
The Edhi Foundation, along with other organisations, continues to advocate for better awareness campaigns, stricter safety regulations around bodies of water and more accessible rescue services.
