After monsoon ban, Goa beaches open for swimming

Panaji, Oct 9 (IANS) After being sealed off for swimming during the monsoon, 'safe swim zones' were re-opened at Goa's popular beaches on Monday, an official statement said.

'Safe swim zones' have now been set up on the beaches due to the "monsoon season having come to an end and post-monsoon showers receding", said a statement by the state government-appointed private lifeguard agency.

"All swim zones on beaches to open on October 9," it added.

Drishti Lifesaving, which supervises the functioning of 600 lifeguards, monitors the 22 beaches across South Goa and 16 across the North Goa stretch from sunrise to sunset.

At the start of the monsoon season, the lifeguard body had issued an 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 agency has also issued safety tips, which urge beachgoers to keep a close eye on children while in the water, avoiding swimming during rough tides, avoiding mossy and slippery rocks and avoiding swimming under the influence of alcohol.

Goa, one of the most popular beach and nightlife tourism destinations, attracts more than six million tourists every year, including half a million foreign tourists.