Udaipur, Nov.05,2025:Anicut Drowning Udaipur refers to the fatal incident in which four children drowned while bathing in an anicut (a low dam built across a stream) near the town of Udaipur, Rajasthan. This heartbreaking episode has resonated deeply in the local community and beyond, raising urgent questions about safety near water bodies, supervision, and preventive measures-
The accident at the anicut near Udaipur
In the afternoon of Saturday, 25 October 2025, in the village area under the jurisdiction of Dabok police station in Udaipur district, an anicut near the Bhmarasiah Valley (Bhmarasiah Ghati) at Kakarnāda / Lakshmanpura power-house area claimed four young lives.
According to police and local sources, the four children, aged approximately between 12 to 15 years, from the Kalbelia community in Jogi Basti, had gone to the anicut to bathe and play. One child reportedly slipped into deeper water, and in the attempt to save him, the other three also drowned.
When the children did not return home, their families and villagers searched the area. Their bodies were later found floating in the water and recovered by local rescue teams and police.
Understanding the children and their background
The victims were four young children from the Kalbelia-community Jogi Basti in the village near Lakshmanpura. They were friends/relatives and had gone out together to play and bathe in the anicut water.
Three of them were boys, and one was a girl, according to media reports. Their ages were reported in the range of about 12-15 years in one report; other reports mention slightly younger ages (10-16).
The key takeaway: these were children, unsupervised, near a water-structure (anicut) which while familiar to locals, presented hidden risks.
Why did the Anicut Drowning Udaipur occur
Lack of supervision & unsafe environment
The children had gone to the water body unsupervised. Being near an anicut, there may have been sudden changes in depth or currents which are often not obvious.
Hidden depth / slip into deeper water
In many such incidents, what seems “safe shallow water” can unexpectedly drop into deeper reach. In this case, one child apparently drifted or slipped into deeper part, triggering the tragic chain.
Under-prepared rescue & infrastructure gaps
The rescue team arrived, but by then it was too late. The existence of multiple sets of clothing found at the spot raised fears that perhaps others were still in danger.
Local awareness and access
Children from local community will often see such spots as familiar, perhaps underestimating the bath/play risks. The absence of signage, warning barriers, or lifeguard presence at remote water bodies like anicuts increases vulnerability.
Immediate response and rescue at the scene
Within about one hour of the accident, personnel from the Rajasthan Civil Defence Department and the Dabok police station arrived at the site. Bodies of the four children were retrieved and transported to the mortuary at the local government hospital.
Authorities also searched to confirm whether any other child remained missing — due to the presence of multiple sets of clothes found at the scene. Thankfully no further victims were found.
Local administrators have since stepped up safety measures around the anicut site and issued warnings to the community.
Broader safety gaps revealed by the Anicut Drowning Udaipur
Water-body safety in rural/remote zones
Water structures like anicuts, canals, dams, and ponds in rural India often lack formal safety infrastructure (barriers, signage, depth markers). This accident highlights that children playing or bathing in such places are at significant risk.
Community-based oversight
In absence of formal lifeguards or enforcement, responsibility lies with family, local leaders and community to ensure children’s safe behaviour. The incident shows inadequate supervision can turn routine play into tragedy.
Emergency readiness
Quick rescue is essential in drowning incidents, but remote areas often lack the equipment, trained teams or timely arrival. Because drowning rapidly takes lives, delay of even a few minutes is critical.
Awareness & prevention campaigns
The loss of four children has triggered calls for heightened community education: not letting children bathe unsupervised, avoiding deeper zones, identifying safe alternate recreational spots.
How authorities and community are reacting
Following the Anicut Drowning Udaipur incident, the local police and civil authorities have issued safety advisories. They appealed to villagers: do not send children alone to water bodies, avoid bathing in anicuts/streams without supervision, and remain alert.
Rescue apparatus has been expanded in the Dabok area. Community meetings are being held to raise awareness among parents and local guardians. Village elders from the Kalbelia community have expressed grief and pledged to monitor children’s outings more strictly.
The tragedy has also drawn attention to possibly establishing safety infrastructure at the anicut: signage, ropes or safe zones for bathing, depth demarcation, local volunteer watch groups.
Five key safety take-aways from the Anicut Drowning Udaipur
- Never let children swim or bathe unsupervised near a dam, anicut, canal or similar water-structure—even if it appears shallow.
- Check the site thoroughly: hidden drop-offs, strong currents, slippery banks can all pose risks.
- Establish safe zones: A designated, supervised area for water-recreation should be clearly marked, with access control.
- Equip local rescue readiness: Keep floatation aids, ropes, first‐aid kits nearby; train community volunteers so response is timely.
- Educate continuously: Schools and local bodies must hold sessions on water-safety, especially before summer or monsoon seasons when children are drawn to water.
These lessons derived from the Anicut Drowning Udaipur case can help prevent future tragedies in rural water zones across India.
Remembering the victims, improving the future
The Anicut Drowning Udaipur tragedy has taken four young lives—children with dreams, families, futures. But from such loss we must draw resolve: to improve safety, raise awareness, strengthen community oversight and prevent any similar pain.
As dawn follows the darkest night, may this incident spark stronger protection for children—near every canal, dam and water-body. In honour of those lost, may we commit to building safer spaces, vigilant guardianship and swift rescue readiness.
