Red flags go up in Goa beaches

In a bid to prevent cases of drowning, Goa had issued an issued advisory cautioning visitors and tourists not to venture into the sea during the monsoon season.  

“Panaji: Red flags go up on beaches in #Goa marking them as ‘no-swim’ zones to prevent cases of drowning. The state-appointed lifeguard agency has issued an advisory cautioning visitors not to venture into the sea during monsoon season (between June 1 and September 30)” ANI tweeted. 

Panaji: Red flags go up on beaches in #Goa marking them as 'no-swim' zones to prevent cases of drowning. The state-appointed lifeguard agency has issued an advisory cautioning visitors not to venture into the sea during monsoon season (between June 1 and September 30) pic.twitter.com/ETLjBZVJzy

— ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2018

The state had appointed Drishti Marine-a private lifeguard agency, to prevent cases of drowning. The agency had already put up red flags on all the beaches marking them as ‘no-swim’ zones.

Chief executive of Drishti Marine Ravi Shankar said the sea and wind conditions are not favourable for swimming or water-based recreational activities.

“Red flags have been put up on all beaches marking them as no-swim zones,” Shankar said.

Shankar also said the lifeguards are closely monitoring the weather conditions and two Drishti lifeguards are available at every lifeguard tower to handle any emergency.

“The lifeguards are closely monitoring the weather conditions and are on duty throughout the monsoon period from 7.30 am till 6 pm daily. In addition to that, two Drishti lifeguards are available at every lifeguard tower to handle any emergency which may crop up until 8 pm. Post sunset, from 6 pm to 12 midnight, the beaches are monitored and patrolled by the Beach Safety Patrol (BSP),” Shankar added.

The agency had also identified 24 ‘no selfie’ points along the coast, to prevent drowning cases while taking selfies.

(With PTI inputs)