Cuttack, Oct. 3: A day after two persons drowned in the Mahanadi river, the district administration today decided to take several measures to check drowning incidents.

As part of the plan, they have decided to put a ban on swimming at four vulnerable points in Kathajodi and Mahanadi rivers. A source said the administration would also put up pictorial warning signage at Gadagadia, Chahata, Jobra and Debigada ghats for visitors.

District collector Nirmal Chandra Mishra told The Telegraph that the irrigation department had been asked to put up signage indicating presence of quick sand at the identified points.

The signage will also carry information about drowning incidents witnessed at these spots. These warning boards will be installed ahead of the immersion ceremony of Durga Puja on October 11, Mishra said.

"Though barricades and warning boards were installed at 8 to 10 places, people ignore these warnings. Hence, we have decided to put up barricades at the vulnerable points where there is quick sand, particularly near Gadgadia ghat," said Mishra.

This apart, the administration has also decided to rope in volunteers to create awareness among people about these dangerous areas. The volunteers will be provided with public announcement systems for the purpose.

Mishra said that the volunteers would also be provided with life jackets, ropes and tubes to carry out rescue operations in case of emergencies. They would be given training on disaster management and life-saving techniques, he said.

The most vulnerable point is near Gadgadia ghat because of the presence of quick sand and silt deposits. Maximum drowning incidents have occurred here. District administration plans to urge the director general of fire services to set up a post of fire services near Gadgadia ghat.

Two persons of Patapole had died while taking a bath during the Solapuri Amma festival here at Gadgadia ghat yesterday. The deceased were identified as B. Venkateswar Rao, 23, and Jaga Rao, 32.

The body of Venkateswar was recovered yesterday after two hours of rescue operation by fire services and Orissa Disaster and Rapid Action Force, while the body of Jaga was fished out nearly 100 metres from the drowning spot.

This was the second major drowning incident at Gadgadia ghat. Earlier, three students of the National Institute of Fashion Technology had died near the same spot on August 30. On an average, 10 to 15 people die in Kathajodi and Mahanadi rivers every year.