Overview

• A Community Knowledge Approach survey by The George Institute and CINI found West Bengal averages 25 drowning deaths a day, totaling roughly 9,191 annually—almost three times higher than official estimates.
• Only 18% of drowning fatalities are recorded in civil registration data, leaving over 80% of rural deaths invisible to public health systems.
• Children aged 1–9 account for nearly half of all drownings and 86% of incidents occur in rural areas, often within 50 metres of home between noon and 2 pm when caregivers are occupied.
• Pilot measures have begun fencing at 101 ponds and establishing ‘Kavach’ childcare centres in rural panchayats to protect toddlers during peak risk hours.
• The full report has been submitted to central and state health authorities with recommendations to integrate water-safety training in schools and strengthen community rescue and resuscitation under India’s national injury prevention strategy.