PANJIM: As Goa welcomes a surge of tourists for the new season, the State’s lifeguards are taking proactive measures to ensure beach safety. The 450-strong lifesaving force monitors and maps daily weather and sea conditions, are establishing ‘safe swim zones’ along the coastline.
Goa’s lifeguards emphasize the importance of adhering to basic safety measures, urging beachgoers to swim only in designated areas. Non-swim zones are clearly identified with red flags. While most beaches are deemed safe for swimming, smaller ones like Cola, Betul, Canaguinim, and Cabo De Rama may lack designated swim zones due to their size and rough sea conditions.
In North Goa, larger beaches such as Calangute, Baga, and Candolim boast of two or more swim zones, Colva, Majorda, and Varca offer multiple swim zones in the South. Anjuna, being a rocky beach, does not have a safe swim zone. Detailed signages at beach entrances explain flag colour-coding and provide safety instructions.
To further enhance safety, lifeguards have erected 89 ‘No Swim Zone’ signboards along treacherous stretches, complemented by red flags. Popular beaches such asCalangute, Baga, and Candolim in North Goa, and Palolem and Agonda in South Goa, display multiple no-swim zone signboards. In high-risk areas, 52 ‘No Selfie’ signboards discourage visitors from venturing to these dangerous spots.
Throughout the year, Goa’s lifesavers diligently monitor 27 beaches in South Goa and 18 beaches in North Goa, along with Dudhsagar waterfalls and Mayemlake, from 7 am to 6.30 pm. The agency has already rescued 392 individuals from drowning this year, underscoring its commitment to tourist safety and protecting lives on Goan beaches. Visitors are encouraged to prioritize their safety by respecting designated swim zones and heeding the warnings provided.
