Saimum Sabbir Shovon Jamalpur
An alarming rise in child drowning deaths in Jamalpur has triggered widespread concern, with experts and rights campaigners attributing the fatalities to a lack of swimming skills, inadequate parental supervision and unsafe water bodies.
Children are reportedly drowning while playing near ponds, rivers and ditches or while bathing. Local officials say awareness campaigns are under way, but residents argue that stronger preventive measures are urgently needed.
One such tragedy struck Melandah on 9 June, when eight-year-old Rifat, son of Manju Mia and Bannya Begum, drowned in a pond beside his home along with a friend. The incident has left the family devastated.
Recalling his last conversation with his son, Manju Mia said Rifat had asked him for Tk20 to buy eggs.
“He asked me for Tk20 that afternoon. I gave it to him and he was very happy. Later, I returned home to hear that my son had died. There are no words left to describe our pain. Carrying my son’s body on my shoulders was the heaviest burden I have ever borne.”
Rifat is not the only victim. According to local accounts, more than 25 people have drowned across the district over the past two months, including at least 20 children.
Families of victims and local residents say climate change has contributed to the problem by reducing natural water bodies where children traditionally learnt to swim. Combined with poor parental awareness and unprotected ponds, they say the situation has created deadly hazards for children.
Abdul Rafiq, whose son Al Nafi also drowned in Melandah, said many deaths could have been prevented if ponds had been properly secured.
“If there had been safety barriers around the ponds, the children would not have been able to get into the water so easily. I hold pond owners responsible. Those who excavate ponds should also ensure proper safety measures.”
Speaking about the loss of his son, he added, “Nothing can replace a child. The world now feels empty. No one can ever bring him back.” Human rights activist Jahangir Selim linked the growing number of drownings to the effects of climate change.
“Climate change is affecting children as well. Canals, wetlands, rivers and ponds have dried up, leaving children with fewer opportunities to learn swimming. As a result, even shallow floodwater or rainwater is becoming fatal.”
Minara, an NGO worker involved in child welfare programmes, said the lack of parental awareness remained a major concern.
“Parents often do not take responsibility for teaching their children to swim or arranging swimming lessons. Without those skills, children become vulnerable even in relatively shallow water.”
Sultana Ahmed Swapna, district children affairs officer at the Bangladesh Shishu Academy in Jamalpur, said awareness activities are being conducted regularly.
“We organise monthly meetings to advise parents on how to keep children safe from drowning and encourage them to keep children under close supervision.” She said parents were also being encouraged to ensure safety measures around unprotected ponds.
Although there is no government-funded swimming programme in the district this year, she expressed hope that such a project would be introduced in 2027.
More than 30 children drowned in Jamalpur during 2025. With more than half of 2026 still remaining, the rising death toll this year has renewed concerns over child safety and the need for stronger preventive measures across the district.
