Panaji
Two days after onset over Kerala, the Southwest monsoon arrived in Goa on Saturday afternoon. IMD has announced the onset of monsoon over Goa on June 5, which is the normal date of monsoon arrival in the State.
With moderate to heavy rains expected to lash various parts of Goa over the next few days, Drishti Marine, the state-appointed professional lifeguard agency, has issued a monsoon advisory instructing visitors to the beach not to venture into the sea during the monsoon months extending from June till the end of September.
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. This year Goa is observing a 61-day fishing ban from June 1, to July 31, where nearly 1,500 trawlers pull their nets off the territorial waters for the entire period of the ban.
According to the IMD, heavy rainfall with high-speed winds is likely to occur at isolated places over both districts of Goa. Pre-monsoon showers commenced in the state earlier this week with light showers witnessed across Goa. With the onset of the monsoons, the state will witness strong winds and thundershowers.
After the recent cyclone Tauktae, the sea profile near the beaches has changed resulting in more areas where rip currents are observed. These rip currents can pull a person inside the sea making it difficult to swim. Drishti’s 600-strong lifesaver force man Goa's beaches through the year. Owing to the oncoming monsoons and the present weather conditions, red flags have been posted across all beaches under Drishti’s surveillance indicating that these are strictly non-swim zones.
River bathing including water sports activities is restricted.
Drishti Marine monitors sea conditions daily and keeps a close tab on the weather.
- Drishti advises visitors not to venture onto the beach, says even wading into the waters is not advisable
- Those visiting the beach should keep a minimum 10 metres away from the waterline
- Do not allow children into the waters unattended, no matter how shallow it may be
- It is not suitable to head out to the beach or venture into the water during lightning
- Do not get onto the rocks during low tide as the rocks get a lot more slippery
- It is not advisable to swim or to engage in any water sport activity at the beach
- If under the influence of alcohol make sure you do not venture into the water
