Rajshahi, May 15 (V7N) – As a severe heatwave sweeps across Rajshahi, many residents are seeking relief by bathing in ponds and rivers. This includes not only those who can swim but also a significant number of children and teenagers who lack swimming skills, leading to a concerning rise in drowning incidents. Many students from schools, colleges, and universities are reportedly going to bathe in rivers with friends without their families' knowledge.

Some students confessed that they carry extra clothes in their bags specifically for days they plan to swim in the river. After bathing, they change back into their school uniforms and return home during school holidays, often concealing their river trips from their families.

A group of seven children and teenagers, all residents of Malda Colony, were observed bathing in the Padma River behind the Lalon Shah Mancha in Rajshahi. Alarmingly, it was confirmed that only the youngest boy in this group of seven knew how to swim, while the remaining six did not.

In the Aibandh area of Rajshahi, several other children and teenagers, including Ripon, Sagar, and Wahed, were seen bathing in the river. They explained that they are local residents who find bathing in ponds or tubewell water unappealing, thus opting for the river. When questioned about their swimming abilities, they admitted that they rely on the assumption that their friends know how to swim.

Shamsul Haque, who was bathing in the Padma River on Monday, pointed out the deceptive nature of the river's depth. "The water in the Padma River is low now. But in some places, the water is up to the neck. In some places, you can't even reach the bottom of the water with your feet even if you raise both hands. It is not possible to understand from close up that this small place is so deep. It is not possible to understand if friends are playing together and someone suddenly drowns."

Teenagers in the Aibandh area revealed that they often come to bathe in the Padma River as a recreational activity, frequently after playing football. They admitted that many of their friends are non-swimmers but still join them in the water, unaware of the unpredictable depths in the Aibandh area.

Expressing concern over the situation, Rajshahi Fire Service and Civil Defense Rajshahi Division Deputy Director Manzil Haque reported that in the last five years (2020 to the present), 50 people have drowned in 68 accidents in the district, with only four individuals rescued while injured.

He emphasized the ongoing efforts to prevent accidents through awareness campaigns, including distributing leaflets, conducting miking sessions, and holding community meetings. He highlighted the current intense heatwave in Rajshahi, which is driving many non-swimmers to seek relief in rivers, often leading to drowning due to momentary carelessness and the deceptive depths of the water.

Manzil Haque urged parents to closely monitor their children's whereabouts, especially during the afternoon, and to educate them about the dangers of bathing in rivers. He advised those who cannot swim to learn quickly and to avoid entering rivers. He also appealed to school teachers to raise awareness among their students about the risks of river bathing.

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