123 people, including 16 teens under the age of 16, have drowned in Tajikistan since the beginning of the swimming season in the country, according to the Emergencies Committee under the Government of Tajikistan.  In Tqjikistan, swimming season starts in May.   

“The latest accident was reported Tuesday (August 9) evening, when the remote control of the emergencies Committee operational duty officer received a call that a 12-year-old teen from Safobakhsh village in Khatlon’s Danghara district has drowned while swimming in the inter-settlement canal,” Umeda Yusufi, a spokeswoman for the Emergencies Committee, told Asia-Plus Wednesday afternoon.

According to her, the tragedy occurred due to non-compliance with safety rules and lack of control on the part of parents. 

The Emergencies Committee urges parents not to leave their children unattended and strictly observe the water safety rules.  

It is to be noted that Tajikistan has faces abnormal heat for the first time in 78 years.  In early July 2022, Tajikistan had average temperature varying from +33ºC to +43ºC.  The average temperature in the country during July was +37ºC, while in July 2021, this indicator was +27.7ºC, and in July 2020, +25.4ºC. 

Therefore, people have preferred to spend time near rivers, canals and ponds a go swimming in rivers and canals.