10,451 water fatalities in five years: Human Rights Commission orders Kerala to classify drowning as disaster

THRISSUR: The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has directed the state government to include drowning deaths in the official schedule of disasters to ensure financial compensation for the families of victims. Highlighting that 10,451 people lost their lives due to drowning in waterlogged areas, rivers, and ponds across the state between 2017 and 2022, the Commission criticised the Revenue Department for failing to submit a report on the matter.

Commission Chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas issued the order on a petition filed in October 2025 by Raju Vazhakkala. The Commission observed that enacting special legislation is unnecessary, as drowning deaths can be integrated into the schedule of the Disaster Management Act through an official notification following detailed consultations.

The petition brought to light a stark disparity in ex-gratia payments, noting that while the government provides up to Rs 10 lakh in financial assistance for fatalities resulting from wild animal attacks, no such relief is granted for drowning incidents. Meanwhile, states such as Uttar Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Odisha have already classified drowning as a state disaster, offering Rs 4 lakh each to the next of kin.

According to Right to Information (RTI) data, Kerala records between 1,500 and 2,000 drowning deaths annually. Thrissur district registered the highest number of casualties during the five-year period with 1,173 deaths, closely followed by Ernakulam with 1,109 deaths and Kollam with 1,023 deaths.

The Commission has instructed the petitioner to submit a formal representation alongside relevant RTI documents to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department. The Additional Chief Secretary has been directed to examine the models adopted by other states, grant the petitioner a personal hearing, and finalize the subsequent procedures within three months of receiving the representation. Furthermore, the Principal Secretary of the Revenue Department has been urged to make a prompt decision regarding the disbursement of compensation to eligible families.