Goa, Aug. 1 -- ANIL KUMAR MISHRA

Behind Goa's post card image of sun, sand and surf lies an alarming public safety crisis. 72 people lost their lives by drowning dur ing the first six months of 2026, exposing the deadly risks lurking not only along the State's beaches but also in its rivers, waterfalls and other inland water bodies. Official data shows that April alone accounted for 21 deaths, making it the cruellest month of the year. The figures also reveal that drowning fatalities be gan climbing sharply from March - well before the on set of the monsoon-under scoring that Goa's drowning crisis is no longer confined to rough seas during the rainy season but has become a year-round concern. The alarming numbers have triggered calls for...