Amid Monsoons, Drishti Marine Issues Advisory; Urges Beachgoers to Refrain from Swimming Off Goa’s Beaches
A Drishti Marine lifesaver keeps track of visitors on a Goa beach as he communicates with his colleagues on a walkie-talkie
~ Drishti Marine has urged beachgoers to be cautious while at the beach, due to strong currents and high waves.
~ Beachgoers have also been requested to refrain from frequenting rocky areas and cliffs.
With early monsoons in Goa underway, Drishti Marine, the state government-appointed lifesaving agency that specialises in safeguarding lives along the coastline and two designated major water bodies, namely the Dudhsagar waterfalls and the Mayem lake, has issued an advisory on keeping safe during the wet season.
While swimming in the seas off Goa and coastal water sports activity is off-limits during the monsoons, Drishti Marine has advised beachgoers to exercise care while visiting beaches in the state, due to unpredictable weather conditions, rough seas and tricky terrain.
“We have placed red flags on all beaches across Goa to indicate that swimming is currently unsafe due to rough sea conditions. Even entering shallow water is not advised, as strong currents and unpredictable waves pose a risk. Over the past few days, monsoon winds have intensified, leading to unusually turbulent waters along the coast. Our lifesaving teams are stationed at key points and are continuously monitoring the situation. While they are fully equipped to respond to emergencies, we strongly encourage everyone to prioritise their safety by staying out of the water until conditions improve,” said Navin Awasthi, CEO of Drishti Marine.
Awasthi also said that it is necessary to follow guidelines laid down for the safety and security of beachgoers, in order to prevent any mishaps while at the beach or near coastal areas.
During the monsoons, beach slopes and rocky patches along the coastline and the immediate shore tend to be slippery and therefore risk-prone. Beachgoers are hence urged to not access rocky areas, cliffs and hills along the shoreline.
Swimming or even wading into the water is fraught with risk on account of the height, intensity and frequency of the waves in the monsoon-fed sea.
Drishti Marine, which constantly monitors sea conditions and weather conditions on a daily basis, has also urged beachgoers, both tourists and local residents, to not ignore red flags placed along beach stretches which indicate that the areas are off-limits for swimming.
Precautions to be taken during the monsoons by Drishti, Goa’s lifesaver agency:
- It is not advisable to swim or to engage in any water sport activity at the beach during the monsoon months from June to September because even though the sea may seem calm, a sudden large wave can sneak up on you and pull you into deep waters without warnings.
- Those visiting the beach should keep a minimum of 10 meters distance from the waterline and listen to the instructions given by the lifeguards.
- Keep a very close eye on children while on the beach and do not allow children to venture into the waters unattended, no matter how shallow it may be.
- Avoid rocky areas near the sea as they can get slippery due to the rains
- Refrain from taking selfies on rocky areas along the coast
- Stay alert, as lifesavers while patrolling, make announcements to alarm and educate people via the Public Address System put up on the jeeps.
- It is not suitable to head out to the beach or venture into the water during lightning and thunder because lightning can pose a danger.
- Do not get onto the rocks during low tide because the rocks get a lot more slippery and mossy during the monsoon season.
- If under the influence of alcohol, make sure you do not venture into the water.
- Always read and obey the safety signs found at the main entrance of the beach.
