PANJIM: The government-appointed lifesaving agency, in an advisory, has 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.
The safety of beachgoers and the advisory is part of ongoing efforts to prevent accidents and fatalities during the monsoon season. The monsoon, which lasts from June to September, triggers increased rainfall, rough seas and unpredictable weather patterns, making water-oriented activities along the coastline particularly risky.
On account of monsoon, adverse weather conditions and the expectation of heavy rain and high waves, red flags have been posted across all beaches in order to discourage beachgoers from swimming or wading into the water.
The visitors have been urged to avoid rocky areas, cliffs and hills along the shoreline. During the monsoon, 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.
The advisory states, "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."