Meet chalks out steps to curb drowning deaths

Visakhapatnam: With deaths due to drowning are on the rise in the Bay of Bengal particularly in the city beaches and to discuss preventive measures, the district administration on Monday convened a high-level meeting with departments including Indian Coast Guard, Eastern Naval Command, VMRDA, AP Police and Rashtriya Life Saving Society. It may be recalled that six more drowning deaths were reported at Yarada beach on Sunday.

Presiding over the meeting, District Collector Pravin Kumar said that the government was very serious on the increasing number of drowning deaths and would take immediate steps to prevent them.

He added the meeting was convened to discuss and find out the ways and means to curb drowning deaths in the beaches. During the meeting, the Collector brought up to notice of the government that special funds be given for maintenance of lifeguards and expert swimmers.  

The collector also informed that a district level committee comprising revenue, police, tourism, and department fisheries officials be formed to monitor the issue. He also informed that CC cameras and a special alert board swould be erected on the beaches to prevent deaths. 
Commissioner of Police Mahendra Chaddah said that during the past 11 months, 30 deaths reported in the beaches.