Panaji: As monsoon ends, the beaches of Goa are getting ready for the tourist season. Drishti Lifesaving, the Goa Tourism-appointed lifeguard agency is set to resume setting up of safe swim-zones on the beaches from next week.
At the start of the monsoon season, red flags along all beaches indicate the no-swim zones. Even wading into the waters is not advisable during the monsoon months.
Starting Monday, all beaches will be open to swimming. Drishti maps the weather and sea conditions each morning and accordingly sets up safe swim zones along the beaches manned by it. Drishti’s lifeguards man the beaches through the year. “Most of the beaches across Goa are safe to swim in, however, beach goers and swimmers must adhere to some basic safety measures,” says Drishti. Non-swim zones are clearly marked with red flags. Anjuna in North coastal Goa, being a rocky beach does not have a swim zone. There are signages at the entrance of every beach listing the kinds of flags and what they mean, instructions and safety tips.
Drishti lifeguards closely monitor 22 beaches across South Goa and 16 beaches across North Goa from 7.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Beaches are shut for swimming and all water sports activities during the monsoon months from June to September each year as the sea season tends to be extremely rough and choppy. Goa also observes a 61-day fishing ban from June 1 to July 31, where nearly 1,500 trawlers pull their nets off the territorial waters.
The safety tips put out by Drishti includes advise to parents and guardians to keep a close eye on children while on the beach; not to allow children to venture into the waters unattended, no matter how shallow; not to venture into the water between 12 noon and 4 p.m.; avoid choosing a secluded beach not manned by a lifeguard; and, to stay alert as lifeguards make announcements to alert and educate people on any change in the weather or tide.
