With few lifeguards Vizag beach visitors at risk

Visakhapatnam: The recent incidents of drowning deaths in the city’s beaches have once again raised questions on the safety of visitors. The strength of community guards (lifeguards) is not at all sufficient to rescue tourists if they are in dangerous situations. The inflow of beach tourists has been increasing whereas the number of lifeguards has remained the same, besides being ill-equipped in terms of equipment and technology.

Though the GVMC with the support of city police has appointed 18 community guards at the RK Beach, Rushikonda Beach and Yarada Beach (six lifeguards at each beach), the drowning deaths continue. A lifeguard on condition of anonymity said that they saved more than 60 tourists on the three beaches, but they had lost some in the last three years. Over 20,000 people visit the beach in evening hours and the guards are unable to keep pace, he added.

Earlier, the city police chief deployed over 20 home guards as community guards to check the drowning deaths. But, all the home guards were deployed on other duties. The GVMC should  appoint more lifeguards or the police should deploy home guards as lifeguards only then will drowning deaths reduce as it is very difficult to prevent the tourists to keep away from the waters, said P. Ramana, a beach visitor.

Scientist-in-charge of National Institute of Oceanography, V.S.N. Murthy said that the rip current, which is the main cause for drowning deaths in Vizag and RK Beach, is dangerous for visitors. Admitting the shortage of community guards, district collector Pravin Kumar and city police chief T. Yoganand said they are chalking plans to prevent the drowning deaths and will take a decision soon.