After a brief lull in the torrential rains this monsoon, the weather has worsened. Heavy rains have been lashing the state, and the seas which had calmed down have once again become torrid. This increases the risk of drowning, and with Ganesh Chaturthi being celebrated in the state, Drishti Marine, the state-appointed professional lifeguard agency has been assisting with immersions and ensuring that they take place in a manner which is safe keeping in mind the safety of the people. The agency has also offered suggestions on ways to stay safe during the Ganesh Chaturthi immersion celebrations along the coast.
Drishti has planned to have a team of lifeguards stationed late into the night at 43 beaches along the coast during the ongoing Ganesh Chaturthi immersion celebrations to assist and aid people in the immersion ritual of the idol of Lord Ganesha which generally takes place late in the night. Lifeguards will be deployed beyond their regular hours of duty at these 40 identified locations between the 3rd and 13th of September 2019.
At the designated beaches teams of lifeguards will assist people and ensure they are safe and will assist them to return back to shore safely after the immersion process. In some cases, if the sea conditions are rough, the lifeguards will offer to carry the idol into the deeper areas for Ganesh Chaturthi immersion after the ceremonial puja takes place.
Drishti requests people to carry out their immersion at the main entry point of the beaches where lifeguarding teams will be present or approach the lifeguard tower for assistance.
Drishti especially cautioned adults to keep a very close eye on children while on the beach and to not allow children to venture into the waters under nightfall, no matter how shallow it may be. The agency also advises locals and tourists, many of who turn up to watch the festive proceedings, not to enter the waters and most certainly restrain from doing so if under the influence of alcohol. The team has made arrangements to have an additional back-up lifeguard team and vehicles on standby in case of any emergency.
Beaches, where a team of lifeguards will be deployed for Ganesh Chaturthi immersion between the dates 3rd and 13th September to ensure people stay safe during the celebrations, are:
- Baina
- Bogmallo
- Velsao
- Arrosim
- Hollant
- Majorda
- Utorda
- Betalbatim
- Colva
- Sernabatim
- Dudhsagar
- Benaulim (main beach)
- Benaulim (near Taj Exotica hotel)
- Varca
- Zalor
- Cavelossim
- Mobor
- Betul and Cananguinim
- Agonda
- Cabo De Rama
- Cola
- Palolem
- Patnem
- Rajbagh
- Colamb
- Galgibagh
- Talpona
- Polem
- Kerim
- Arambol
- Morjim
- Ashwem
- Vagator
- Anjuna
- Baga
- Calangute
- Candolim
- Siquerim
- Coco Beach
- Miramar
For more information on Drishti Marine, visit their website at http://www.drishtimarine.com/
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by ItsGoa staff and is published from a press release given by Drishti Marine.)
