Desludging, security lapses make Sreevaraham pond a death trap

Thiruvananthapuram: The latest instance of a drowning at Sreevaraham temple pond on Tuesday has many in the area blaming the de-sludging work of 2012 as the reason for the increase in such incidents in the last three years. The sand at the bottom of the pond was removed, leaving mud that trap people, they say. Not less than six bodies, including unidentified ones, were fished out from the temple pond, which is among the largest in the district, since 2014.

Many are elderly people, they point out.  The pond, which is under the Travancore Devasom Board, has no adequate security surveillance and put no restrictions for outsiders even in the night. “We have not heard about so many deaths until de-sludging was carried out,” said Mini R, local councillor. “At least 50 loads of sand should be deposited on the pond bed to avoid people getting trapped.”