Red flags at Goa beaches during monsoon to warn people

Red flags will be put up at beaches in Goa to warn people about the dangers of wading or swimming in the sea during the monsoons.

The Meteorological Department has stated that the Southwest monsoon had arrived in Goa yesterday and the next few days would see heavy rainfall which is expected to intensify in the next few weeks.

"We have advised visitors to the beach to not venture into the sea during the monsoon," said Ravi Shankar, CEO of Drishti Marine.

"We have put up red flags at all the beaches to warn people that the area is not meant for swimming or even wading," he informed.

The firm has been appointed by the state government to provide lifeguards at beaches and Shankar said that a force of 600 lifeguards was manning them currently.

The Goa government shuts down beaches for swimming and other water sports activities during the monsoon from June to August each year as a precautionary step.

This includes a 61-day fishing ban that started from June 1 and ends on July 31.