PANJIM: The recent drowning deaths of four tourists off Candolim and Calangute beaches in less than a week has prompted the government to consider enacting a law to act tough against undisciplined beach visitors.
At the same time, the Tourism Department and Drishti Lifesaving Services have issued separate advisories asking people not to be over-adventurous on beaches particularly after sunset and under influence of alcohol.
Drishti says that it conducted 3,038 rescue operations, while 49 drowning cases have occurred between 2008 and 2017 (till July). This indeed excludes the drowning cases earlier this month.
Further details indicate that 405 tourists were rescued in the year 2016 of whom 319 were domestic tourists and 86 foreigners. And this year till July, 166 tourists were rescued of whom 130 were domestic tourists, while 36 were foreign tourists.
A decade ago in 2007 alone, 200 persons drowned prompting the State government to take immediate measures and put together an efficient system. Hence, Drishti was roped-in. Since the agency started providing rescue services, Drishti officials claim that the drowning deaths have come down by 99 percent and tourist experience has significantly improved in Goa.
“Over 3,000 lives have been saved since then, due to intervention of rescue operations,” said P N Pandey, General Manager, (Operations-Dishti).
Drishti has employed over 600 lifeguards to man Goa’s coast and has established 35 lifeguard towers. On an average, Drishti deploys 14 each lifeguards at 40 coastal points that include 38 beaches, Dudhsagar Waterfalls and Mayem Lake. On Baga, Calangute and Colva beaches, Drishti has deployed 22 each lifeguards on an average.
“Most of the beaches across Goa are safe for swimming. However, swimmers should adhere to some basic safety measures. The swimmers should ideally swim only in the swim zones which are marked with red and yellow flags by the Drishti lifeguards. No-swim zones are marked with red flags. Anjuna however, being a rocky beach does not have a swim zone. Additionally, there are signage at the entrance of every beach which list down the kinds of flags and what they mean, instructions and safety tips,” Pandey said.
Following the incidents this month, Drishti reiterated its monsoon advisory against venturing into the waters till the rains while also advising the visitors not to venture into the sea post-sunset and under influence of alcohol.
The Tourism department too has taken proactive step urging stakeholders to sensitize tourists on their safety on the beaches. Tourism Minister Manohar Azgaonkar has spoken about enacting a law to penalize visitors who violate the safety norms.
