The drowning of a tourist cruise in the vast waters of the Narmada at Bargi dam near Jabalpur on 30 April, which has so far claimed nine lives, lays bare the extent of administrative arbitrariness in Madhya Pradesh. The accident occurred near Khamaria island at around 5.30 pm, when a nearly 20-year-old cruise operated by the state tourism department sank. Around 35 tourists and two crew members were on board.

Emerging details suggest that mechanised boats were being run in the Bargi dam in violation of environmental laws and explicit orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Acting on a petition by environmentalist Subhash C. Pandey, the NGT in 2023 had clearly directed that diesel-powered motorboats and cruises cannot be operated in drinking water sources such as Bhopal’s Upper Lake and dams linked to the Narmada.

The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation had challenged this order in the Supreme Court, but in March 2024, the court upheld the NGT ruling, calling it appropriate for environmental protection. Despite this, motorised cruises continued to operate in the Bargi dam, allegedly with the consent of both the tourism corporation and the district administration.

Diesel-powered boats release sulphur and other chemicals into the water, harming aquatic life, disrupting biodiversity, and reducing the natural purification capacity of water bodies. Aquatic organisms play a crucial role in maintaining water quality; their decline leads to deterioration in water purity. Sulphur contamination, in particular, is toxic to such organisms.

On the day of the incident, a sudden storm whipped up high waves, and the cruise began to submerge. Local residents said the weather deteriorated rapidly, and the situation spiralled out of control within minutes.

Among those on board was Kamraj Arya, an employee of the Ordnance Factory Khamaria in Jabalpur, who had come with around 15 family members for an outing. While his parents remained on the dam’s edge, he boarded the cruise with his wife, sister-in-law and children. Kamraj and one of his sons were rescued, but several members of his family remain missing.

The tragedy appears to be a stark example of profit-driven negligence and disregard for safety norms. The meteorological department had issued a yellow alert a day earlier, warning of strong winds of 40–50 kmph. Despite this, the cruise was allowed into the dam waters at around 4.30 pm on Thursday. Soon after, strong winds caused it to capsize. The vessel reportedly sank to a depth of about 20 m and could only be retrieved nearly 24 hours later. In order to recover bodies, parts of the cruise vessel had to be cut open.

Survivors said no life jackets were provided to passengers either while boarding or during the ride. Jackets were handed out only when water began rapidly entering the vessel, leading to chaos and scrambling among passengers.

In the immediate aftermath, local labourers working nearby managed to rescue around 29 people using ropes and their own swimming skills. State disaster response teams and other authorities, however, appeared ill-equipped, citing darkness, lack of equipment, water depth and rough weather. By the time official rescue efforts gathered pace, the situation had already turned critical.

While north and central India saw unseasonal April showers this year, south India is facing a formidable environmental challenge: scorching heat coupled with rising ultraviolet (UV) radiation and surface ozone levels. Unlike the dry heatwave in the north, the combination of rising heat, humidity and dangerous UV rays in south India signals a looming health emergency.

In Kerala, the sharp rise in UV radiation has prompted the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) to issue an orange alert in six districts cautioning the public against prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. Latest data show a UV index level of 8 in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Kollam and Palakkad — high enough to pose serious health risks. Authorities warn that direct sun exposure in these areas could cause sunburn, skin disorders and eye ailments.

In Bengaluru, the city’s afternoon UV index has surged to 13, classified as ‘extreme’ by World Health Organization (WHO) standards. This rapid jump — from 10 to 13 in just two days in the third week of April — is a worrying development. Similarly, Chennai has recorded UV levels as high as 13 around noon. Understanding these extreme indices is vital for residents to protect their skin and overall health in a tropical city with year-round sun exposure.

Chennai versus other cities

A quick scan (see table below) highlights how UV exposure in Chennai compares with other major cities across India. This comparison helps travellers and residents better understand regional sun intensity and plan outdoor activities with sun safety in mind.

The southern coastal regions, once known for their pleasant climate, lush greenery and abundant water resources, now confront a frightening phase of climate change. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala have experienced premature and intense heatwaves this year. The region’s proximity to the equator and varied altitudes amplify the sun’s impact, making south India more vulnerable to UV damage than north India.

This year’s figures are alarming. Bengaluru, once called the ‘Garden City’, has recorded a UV index between 12 and 13. An index above 11 is ‘extreme’, which means that just ten minutes in the sun without protection can cause permanent damage to skin cells.

The drying of water bodies — like Pallikaranai in Chennai — has intensified UV reflection, further increasing the intensity of local radiation. Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram report UV indices between 10 and 11. A recent KSDMA report reveals that about 80 per cent of Kerala’s regions surpass safe radiation limits.

Meanwhile, surface ozone — normally protective in the stratosphere — has become toxic at the ground level due to heat and pollution, particularly from vehicle emissions reacting with nitrogen oxides. This ‘chemical cocktail’ exacerbates respiratory diseases like asthma and lung inflammation, which have surged by over 20 per cent across southern metro areas.

The dual onslaught of ultraviolet rays and ozone has triggered serious health problems. UV radiation directly damages DNA, increasing risks of early onset of skin cancer. Eye exposure threatens cataracts and early blindness. Very high UV levels weaken immunity, further endangering vulnerable populations — daily wage workers, street vendors and construction labourers exposed to the sun for long hours.

The result? Rising cases of heat stroke, kidney ailments and severe dehydration, as reported from the hinterlands of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The ecological fallout is equally grave. Crops in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka show diminished photosynthesis due to UV exposure, impacting yields of sensitive plants like paddy and pulses. Rising sea temperatures and radiation disrupt marine ecosystems, destroying plankton populations which are foundational to the local fisheries.

Wetland degradation — such as the disappearance of 165 water sources in Pallikaranai — not only causes water scarcity but also eliminates natural cooling systems that historically regulated temperature.

The current climate imbalance surpasses a mere temperature increase — it threatens the survival of both humans and biodiversity. Government initiatives in the past, like the Green Credit Programme, have faltered due to lack of scientific direction. Effective action requires real-time UV monitoring in every city, preservation and expansion of dense urban forests to reduce the effects of ozone naturally, and regulatory measures such as prohibiting manual labour during peak afternoon hours.

Southern India stands at a critical crossroads. From Bengaluru’s tech hubs to the serene backwaters of Kerala and the coastal plains of Tamil Nadu, this perilous nexus of heat, UV radiation and pollution reflects a collective failure to safeguard the environment. Without urgent, transformative policy interventions focused on conservation, water resource protection, and pollution control, this vibrant region risks becoming inhospitable for future generations.

The time to act is now — not to spell doom and gloom but to implement bold, swift changes that secure a safe and liveable environment for all.

More by the writer here