MOHALI, July 4: In yet another monsoon-related tragedy, an 11-year-old boy died after falling into a rainwater-filled pit in Bakarpur village on Wednesday—marking the third child drowning in Mohali district within 48 hours.
The child, identified as Hari Prasad, was playing outside when he accidentally slipped into a shallow, two-foot-deep pit that had collected stagnant rainwater, according to Aerocity Station House Officer (SHO) Satwinder Singh.
“Although the pit wasn’t very deep, the child’s small build contributed to his drowning. He could not be revived despite efforts,” SHO Singh said. Police have ruled out foul play, terming the incident a case of accidental drowning.
Hari Prasad, originally from Bihar, was living in the area with his family, who had moved to Mohali for work.
A day earlier, on Tuesday, two children— a nine-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl— drowned in a similar manner in Balongi near TDI Gateway City, after falling into another pit filled with rainwater while playing nearby.
In response to the alarming sequence of child deaths, the Mohali district administration issued a public advisory on Thursday urging residents to steer clear of water bodies, particularly those swollen or stagnant during monsoon.
Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal called for heightened vigilance, especially around construction zones. “Construction workers and building owners must ensure that minors are kept away from tanks or pits filled with water at construction sites,” she said.
Appealing to parents and guardians, Mittal added, “We must all be cautious and proactive to safeguard precious lives. Children must not be left unsupervised near water bodies during this season.”
She also urged village panchayats to initiate thikri pehras (community-led night patrols) around rivulets and ponds, and to monitor rising water levels and reinforce weak embankments.
The District Control Room remains active and can be reached at 0172-221-9506 for any water-related emergencies, especially concerning swollen streams or choes.
