KKN Gurugram Desk | A leisure trip turned into a devastating tragedy in Varanasi on Saturday morning when a 23-year-old man drowned while bathing in the Ganga River at Meer Ghat. The deceased, identified as Sumit Awasthi, had come to Varanasi from Lucknow along with his friends to take a dip in the holy river. Despite immediate rescue efforts, his life could not be saved.

What Happened at Meer Ghat?

On the morning of June 7, 2025, Sumit Awasthi, a native of Sidhauli, Sitapur, and resident of Preeti Nagar, Madiyav, Lucknow, arrived at Meer Ghat with three friends. The group decided to bathe in the sacred Ganga river—an age-old tradition for many visiting Varanasi.

However, the situation turned tragic when Sumit ventured into deeper waters. Before his friends could react, he lost balance and began drowning. His panicked friends shouted for help, catching the attention of nearby locals and the Dashashwamedh water police unit.

Swift Rescue, But Too Late

Upon hearing the commotion, divers Sunny, Ajay, and Rakesh, in coordination with Dashashwamedh Jal Police, reached the spot and began a search-and-rescue operation. After a strenuous effort, they were able to retrieve Sumit from the water and rushed him to the Divisional District Hospital.

Unfortunately, upon arrival, doctors declared Sumit dead.

Victim’s Background and Visit to Varanasi

Sumit Awasthi was employed at a grocery store in Lucknow. He had taken a short trip to Varanasi with three close friends. His intention was to explore the cultural heritage of the city and perform the ritualistic Ganga bath, which many believe absolves one of sins.

Local authorities, including Dashashwamedh Police Station in-charge Anuj Tiwari, promptly informed Sumit’s father and brother about the incident.

Recurring Pattern: Multiple Drownings Reported Across Uttar Pradesh

This is not an isolated incident. In recent weeks, several drowning cases during river baths have been reported from across Uttar Pradesh:

• In Ghazipur, a young man visiting his maternal grandparents drowned while bathing in the Ganga.

• In Farrukhabad, a B.Sc student met the same fate during a group bath.

• Aligarh reported the drowning of a youth during a similar river outing.

• Another fatal incident occurred during Ganga Dussehra celebrations in Varanasi.

• A young man from Meerut drowned in the Poshak Canal while visiting relatives in Amroha.

These back-to-back incidents have raised serious concerns about safety measures around river ghats during public bathing.

Why Do These Incidents Keep Happening?

Several factors contribute to such unfortunate incidents:

1. Lack of Awareness of River Depth and Currents

Most ghats, including Meer Ghat and Dashashwamedh Ghat, have areas with unpredictable depths and strong undercurrents, especially during monsoon or post-flood periods.

2. No Dedicated Life Guards

While local divers are often present, many ghats lack professional lifeguards or safety infrastructure such as warning signs, ropes, or buoyant aids.

3. No Safety Education

Visitors, especially from urban areas or other states, are unaware of the risks involved in bathing in open rivers without proper caution.

Preventive Measures Needed

In the wake of rising accidents, local residents and safety experts have called for:

• Deployment of trained lifeguards across all major ghats

• Marking danger zones with ropes and signs

• Public announcements during peak hours and festivals

• CCTV surveillance and real-time monitoring

• Awareness campaigns for pilgrims and tourists

What Authorities Have Said

Speaking to the media, a senior police officer from Dashashwamedh said:

“The ghats are public spaces with religious and cultural significance. We do our best to deploy teams, but without active cooperation from the public, these tragedies cannot be avoided. Safety is a shared responsibility.”

Efforts are reportedly underway to increase coordination between municipal authorities, police, and volunteers for better crowd and safety management.

Spirituality vs Safety: A Delicate Balance

The city of Varanasi sees lakhs of pilgrims each year, many of whom come to take part in rituals like Ganga snan (holy bath), especially during festivals like Ganga Dussehra, Kartik Purnima, and Makar Sankranti.

While these practices are deeply spiritual, experts urge that modern safety protocols must be integrated to prevent loss of life, especially among young, unaware visitors.

Family Grief and Community Support

Sumit’s family has been devastated by the sudden loss. Messages of condolence have poured in from neighbors, friends, and local community members. A crowdfunding appeal has also been discussed by local residents to help support the family in covering funeral and other expenses.

The tragic drowning of Sumit Awasthi is a grim reminder of how a spiritual experience can turn fatal due to lack of awareness and infrastructure. As Varanasi continues to attract pilgrims from across India, it is imperative that authorities and visitors act together to prevent such heartbreaking incidents.

Until then, families must be more vigilant, especially when bringing children or young adults near river ghats, and local administrations must step up their safety preparedness, particularly during peak pilgrimage seasons.