Mumbai: BMC Appointed Lifeguard Agency Issues Monsoon Advisory

The southwest monsoon has hit Mumbai’s coast. With moderate to heavy rains expected to lash various parts of Mumbai over the next few days, Drishti Lifesaving, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)– 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 local government shuts down the beaches for all activities during the monsoon months from June to August each year as the sea during this season tends to be extremely rough and choppy. The annual 61-day fishing ban is in effect in the city where trawlers pull their nets off the territorial waters for the entire period of the ban.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heavy rainfall with high-speed winds is likely to occur at isolated places over Mumbai. Pre-monsoon showers commenced this week with light showers witnessed across the city. With the onset of the monsoons, the city may witness strong winds and thundershowers.

Drishti Lifesaving was appointed by the civic body and Mumbai Fire Brigade in Jan 2019 to provide lifeguarding services and manage beach safety at the six popular beaches along the Mumbai coast - Girgaum, Dadar, Juhu, Versova, Aksa and Gorai – which witness high footfalls.

Owing to the oncoming monsoons and the present weather conditions, red flags have been posted across all the six beaches under Drishti’s surveillance indicating that the waters are out of bounds.

Naveen Awasthi, Operations Head, Drishti Lifesaving said “Wading into the waters is not advisable. Our team of lifeguards present along the coast are monitoring the weather conditions. The team is trained to carry out rescues even in rough weather.”

Drishti advises visitors to avoid rocky areas and cliffs on the shoreline. These are very slippery during monsoon season and also wave height, intensity and frequencies are very high and one can easily get washed out. It especially cautioned adults to keep a very close eye on children while on the beach and to not allow children to venture into the waters unattended, no matter how shallow they may be.

Safety tips for the monsoons by Mumbai’s lifeguard agency:

• Those visiting the six lifeguarded beaches - Girgaum, Dadar, Juhu, Versova, Aksa and Gorai – should keep a minimum of 10 meters away from the waterline and listen to the instructions given by the lifeguards.
• Do not allow children to venture into the waters unattended, no matter how shallow they may be.
• It is not suitable to head out to the beach or venture into the water during lightning and thunder because lightning can pose a danger. 
• Do not get onto the rocks during low tide because the rocks get a lot more slippery and mossy during the monsoon season.
• If under the influence of alcohol make sure you do not venture into the water. 
• Wear a mask and maintain social distancing at all times.