With the onset of monsoons, Drishti Marine, the state government-appointed lifesaving agency, has, in an advisory, urged the public to avoid swimming off beaches in the state due to rough sea conditions, including dangerous rip currents and high tides, in addition to strong winds, which makes venturing into the sea risk prone.
The advisory follows severe weather warnings from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), predicting heavy rains and rough sea conditions across the coastal state.
Drishti Marine is dedicated to ensuring the safety of beachgoers and the advisory is a part of its ongoing efforts to prevent accidents and fatalities during the monsoon season. The monsoon, which typically lasts from June to September, triggers increased rainfall, rough seas and unpredictable weather patterns, making water-oriented activities along the coastline particularly risky.
Drishti Marine’s 450-strong force of lifesavers patrols Goa’s beaches all year. On account of the monsoons, adverse weather conditions and the expectation of heavy rain and high waves, red flags have been posted across all beaches under Drishti Marine’s supervision, in order to discourage beachgoers from swimming or wading into the water.
“We have marked all beaches with red flags to signal that swimming is unsafe. Even wading in the water is strongly discouraged. Our team of lifesavers, stationed along the coast, is closely monitoring the weather patterns and their impact on the sea. They are trained to perform rescues even in adverse conditions,” stated Navin Awasthi, CEO of Drishti Marine .
Drishti Marine urges visitors to avoid rocky areas, cliffs and hills along the shoreline. During the monsoon season, these locations become especially dangerous due to their slippery surfaces. The sea also experiences increased wave height, intensity and frequency, significantly raising the risk of beachgoers being swept into the turbulent waters.
Drishti Marine monitors sea conditions and weather conditions on a daily basis.
#ListenToYourLifesaver: Safety tips for the monsoons by Drishti Marine, Goa’s lifesaver agency:
• Refrain from swimming or any water activities until the advisory is lifted.
• Those visiting the beach should keep a minimum of 10 metres away from the waterline and listen to instructions given by lifesavers.
• Keep a very close eye on children while on the beach and do not allow them to venture into the waters unattended, no matter how shallow it may appear to be.
• Stay alert as patrolling lifesavers make regular announcements to alarm and educate people via the public address system installed on their four wheelers.
• It is not suitable to head out to the beach or venture into the water during lightning and thunder, because lightning can pose danger.
• Do not climb onto the rocks during low tide because the rocks tend to get a lot more slippery and mossy during the monsoon season.
• Avoid taking selfies on rocky areas and cliffs.
• It is not advisable to swim or to engage in any water sports activities at the beach during the monsoons 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 warning.
• 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
