Mumbai Rains: IMD shares important information about monsoon this year

As per the India meteorological department (IMD), the southwest monsoon is likely to hit Mumbai’s coast within the next 24 hours. In addition to this, moderate to heavy rains expected to lash various parts of Mumbai over the next few days. Drishti Lifesaving, the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) – 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.

Every year, the Mumbai government shuts down the beaches for all activities during the monsoon months from June to August. Reason being, 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 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 Pvt Ltd was appointed by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) 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.

Ravi Shankar, Executive Director, Drishti Lifesaving said “Pre-monsoon showers have already hit Mumbai. Over the past few days, light showers were witnessed along the coastal stretch. Accordingly, we advise visitors to the beach not to venture into the sea during the monsoon months. We have put up red flags at all the beaches which means that the area is not meant for swimming. Even 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.”

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

• Visitors are advised 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.
• Adults are cautioned 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 it may be.
• Those visiting the six lifeguarded beaches - Girgaum, Dadar, Juhu, Versova, Aksa and Gorai – should keep minimum 10 meters away from the waterline and listen to the instructions given by the lifeguards.
•  It is not suitable to head out to the beach or venture into the water during lightning and thunders because lightning can pose a danger.
•  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