PANJIM: With moderate and heavy rains lashing Goa, lifeguard agency Drishti Marine has issued a monsoon advisory instructing visitors to the beach not to venture into the sea from June to September.
“Over the past few days strong winds and showers were witnessed along the coastal stretch. Accordingly, we advise visitors to the beach not to venture into the sea during the monsoon months. We have put up red flags at all the beaches which mean that the area is not meant for swimming. Even wading into the waters is not advisable,” Drishti Marine CEO Ravi Shankar said.
In case of a dry spell over the next few months and depending on weather conditions, Drishti may open up a few beach stretches so that visitors can wade into the waters. “These zones can be identified by the red and yellow flags and will be decided on a daily basis depending on the day’s weather. However, even in such conditions, swimming is not advisable due to the presence of under-water currents and rip tides,” Shankar said.
Drishti cautioned adults to keep a close eye on children on the beach and to not allow children to venture into the waters unattended.
The Goa government shuts down the beaches for swimming and all water sports activities during the monsoon months from June to August each year as the sea during this season tends to be extremely rough and choppy.
