Chennai's East Coast Road Faces Rising Drowning Incidents: Police Take Action
Increasing Drowning Cases Prompt Police Response
Chennai, Feb 28: A troubling increase in drowning incidents along the East Coast Road (ECR) in Chennai has led to stricter enforcement measures by the Tambaram City Police.
In the last 14 months, 17 individuals have tragically lost their lives in various incidents along the coast, prompting authorities to enhance patrols and issue stronger public safety warnings in high-risk beach areas.
Data from the police indicates that between January 2025 and February 2026, fatalities occurred at multiple sites, including Kanathur, Kovalam, Muttukadu, Uthandi, Reddykuppam, and Nainarkuppam.
Kovalam Beach has been identified as a significant danger zone, with four deaths reported—three involving students and one a private sector worker—highlighting the risks for young beachgoers.
Other areas have also seen multiple drowning incidents, with two fatalities each at Blue Beach and Semmancheri Kuppam.
In Nainarkuppam, two tourists from Maharashtra drowned, while Uthandi recorded two separate drowning events.
The most recent incident occurred on February 21 at Kanathur, where two tourists were swept away by strong waves during rough sea conditions.
Initial investigations in many cases indicated that the victims entered the water without assessing the sea conditions or paying attention to warning signs.
Strong undercurrents, sudden changes in water depth, and turbulent waves continue to present hidden dangers along the ECR coastline.
Authorities noted that risky behaviors, such as swimming in restricted areas and ignoring red flags, have significantly contributed to these fatalities.
Tambaram Police Commissioner A. Amalraj emphasized the importance of beachgoers avoiding the coast during weather warnings, not taking selfies near dangerous waves or rocky areas, and staying away from the water after consuming alcohol.
With summer approaching and an expected increase in visitors, police have expanded coastal patrols, added more warning signs, and intensified public announcements to discourage unsafe practices.
Officials stressed that beaches are not inherently safe recreational areas and urged families, tourists, and youth groups to remain vigilant and act responsibly to prevent further tragedies.