Instances of drowning are surging

Ignoring warning signs and bathing in reservoirs have cost several lives. Pilgrims and visitors to religious sites are among the majority of victims who often stop at rivers, tanks and streams to take a dip.

More often than not the victims have no idea of the depth of the water they step into or the undercurrents operating in rivers.

R. M. Kularatne Kumara 41, from Kuliyapitiya drowned last Poson Poya day. Kularatne who was on a pilgrimage, stopped off to take a dip at the Kandalama tank. Not heeding warnings from life savers that the area was unsafe he dived into its waters.

Unfortunately in most cases, the public tend to ignore warning signs and advice from area residents.

In most of the incidents which come to a tragic end the signs and signals are clearly put up, with red flags flying to indicate bathing in particular areas is dangerous.

Most of the notices clearly state bathing is prohibited.

Unfortunately in a number of instances people foolishly remove the red flags or warning signs and jump into the water.

Officers of the Life Saving Units say on many occassions visitors ignore their warnings and often fall in trouble.

Despite the large billboard pilgrims and sight-seers venture into the water, often paying the ultimate price for their foolhardiness.

A woman wails in misery as the body of an unfortunate who drowned is brought ashore

A group disregards a sign indicating the area is dangerous for bathing

Despite clear signs warning against bathing in particular places the warnings are widely disregarded