Hussainsagar, for many the lake of lost hope

Hyderabad’s idyllic spot has been drawing a growing number of people who want to end their lives.

It is a struggle to save those who jump into the Hussainsagar lake because there is no trained rescue team. File photo

The scenic 1.7 km route on the Tank Bund road around Hussainsagar lake is a favourite location for selfie lovers. It is also Hyderabad’s suicide point.

The 450-year old Hussainsagar witnessed 146 deaths and 510 suicide attempts since 2013 until last year. Family quarrels and financial difficulties have prompted many, including women with babies in arms to jump into the sewage-mixed waters.

Most of those who attempt suicide are women. So far this year, out of 144 people rescued, 81 were women. There were 38 men and 25 minors. “Most women we save are victims of domestic abuse, from a slum near Necklace road,” an officer of Lake Police station said, adding that some women are drunk when they jump in. The police have two major problems in handling the suicidal people who come to Tank Bund: No fence to deter them and no trained swimmer to attempt a quick rescue. “We do not have our own trained swimmers. If someone has jumped in, then we need one pull him or her out immediately,” the official said. A request to civic authorities to fence off the upper Tank Bund area made five months ago has not elicited a response.

Fishing out bodies from the lake, which has a 14 km shoreline and water spread of about 4.7 sq. km., is equally difficult. “Our personnel often contract skin diseases when they go for a rescue,” the official said. Hussainsagar’s record is depressing. While deaths remained almost the same every year since 2013, suicide attempts have spiked.

In 2013 and 2014, police saved 77 and 82 people respectively. But in the next year, 207 were pulled out, while in the current year, the tally is 144 so far.

A drinking water source for Hyderabad till 1930, the lake is now polluted. The Police want trained swimmers, since there are rocks and metal rods deep in the water body.

For rescues, 24 patrolmen from the Lake police station have been split into three groups, working round the clock. Ice-cream sellers and vendors act as lookouts and inform the police if they spot someone arousing suspicion.

The job of attempted rescues and removal of bodies at Hussainsagar is handled by 28-year old Hanumanthu. He is called ‘Shiva’ by the Lake and Ramgopalpet police personnel, and got into the act after personal tragedy: His 18-year old brother fell into a well and died, and there was no one to remove the body. Now, he stays very close to Tank Bund and gets about Rs. 300 every time he retrieves a body.