Today, July 25, marks World Drowning Prevention Day. Established by a United Nations General Assembly resolution and observed annually since 2021, the day aims to raise public awareness and promote effective preventive measures against preventable tragedies like drowning.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has noted that drowning has emerged as a "silent epidemic" worldwide.

According to WHO data, more than 350,000 people die from drowning globally every year, with nearly 90% of these fatalities occurring in low- and middle-income countries, including Bangladesh.

Drowning is also one of the leading causes of premature death among children and adolescents.

The situation in Bangladesh is similarly alarming, with an average of approximately 18,000 people losing their lives to drowning each year.

Children under the age of five account for the highest proportion of these victims.

Experts emphasize that nearly 90% of drowning deaths are preventable and can be significantly reduced through increased awareness, education, and safety measures.

The WHO highlights that climate change is driving an increase in heatwaves, flash floods, heavy rainfall, and other extreme weather events, which in turn heighten the risk of drowning.

Research conducted in the United Kingdom indicates that for every 1 degree Celsius rise in environmental temperature, the rate of drowning fatalities increases by an average of 7.2 percent.

In observance of World Drowning Prevention Day, the WHO released a new technical guidance package titled "PROTECT," which outlines seven evidence-based strategies for drowning prevention, during a global conference held in Accra, the capital of Ghana.

The organization stressed that drowning is not merely a public health issue but a major barrier to the economic and social progress of developing nations.

Addressing this crisis requires coordinated efforts across government ministries, local administrations, educational institutions, and relevant organizations.

Speaking at the global conference, Ghana's Deputy Minister for the Interior, Ebenezer Klutse Teye Labi, stated, "Drowning is one of the top 10 leading causes of premature death among children aged 5 to 14 worldwide.

Children face daily risks of drowning in rivers, lakes, ponds, open wells, household water storage containers, and swimming pools. These risks escalate further during extreme weather events like floods and storms."

In a statement, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "Every drowning death is a heartbreaking tragedy, and most are preventable.

The WHO's seven strategies will help countries implement practical and sustainable measures. Securing watercraft, teaching children to swim, and strengthening flood management can serve as primary tools."

Key preventive measures highlighted to combat drowning include:

• Ensuring young children do not go near water sources unattended.
• Arranging swimming lessons for children under the age of five.
• Choosing safe swimming locations equipped with lifeguards or security personnel.
• Exercising caution and ensuring the use of lifejackets when visiting rivers, canals, or ponds.
• Seeking assistance from local authorities or trained dive teams in emergency situations.

Experts suggest that incorporating swimming instruction into primary education, creating safe community water bodies, and intensifying awareness campaigns can drastically reduce drowning mortality rates both in Bangladesh and across the globe.