Nepal: Drowning is increasingly becoming a public health issue in Nepal, especially in Madhesh Province. The World Health Organization reports that Nepal has one of the highest drowning rates globally, with a mortality rate of 5.4 per 10,000 people. Abandoned open pits, unsecured ponds, and rivers claim lives and devastate families each year.
In rural areas, when roads are constructed, contractors often dig pits to raise the land surface, leaving them abandoned afterward. The risk grows during the monsoon season when rainwater fills these pits, obscuring their depth. Some children who play or swim in these areas to escape the heat never make it back home. The number of drowning fatalities has been on the rise.
- Heavenly Father, we ask for your healing grace to touch those who have been affected by drowning in Nepal. May they find the strength to rebuild their lives and find hope in the face of such loss (The Holy Bible, Psalms 5:11).
- Pray for the prevention of future drownings, perhaps by increasing awareness of water safety and promoting safety measures (The Holy Bible, Deuteronomy 10:18).
News Source: The Kathmandu Post
Image Source: Canva
