Visakhapatnam: In spite of several deaths due to drowning being reported in the city, many youngsters still continue to venture into the beaches during this picnic season. The existence of community guards and danger boards seemingly is not enough to deter people from taking a swim or bath in the sea water.
For every 100-200 metres, there are boards inscribed with warnings in Telugu and English. Many people, particularly youngsters, throw caution to the wind and risk their lives. Swimming or surfing in the sea is not adventurous but has proven to be disastrous.
Recently, six young men drowned at the Yarada beach. Prior to this, a student from Andhra University went missing at RK Beach. The sea appears to be fine but a strong current may suddenly pull away swimmers.
Experts have advised staying away from the sea water as vulnerability is very high at the beaches in the city. In order to prevent drowning deaths in the sea, they have urged to create more awareness among the youths about the high rip currents prevailed here.
According to scientists, high currents play a major role in dragging a swimmer inside the sea. The coastline is changing day to day because of the turbulence. Beaches like Bheemili, Rushikonda, Sagar Nagar, RK Beach and Yarada are not safe, they say.
National Institute of Oceanography Visakhapatnam in-charge scientist G.P.S. Murthy said that not all seasons are the same. “It is better not to venture into sea without knowing the bottom behaviour and wave fluctuations,” he said.
Mr Murthy added: “Drowning deaths have increased in the beaches and most of the victims are the youth, who come in groups.”
The district administration should take stringent steps to ensure zero drowning deaths in the sea.”
District collector Pravin Kumar held a brainstorming session on the issue with a high-level committee comprising officials of NIO, VMRDA, GVMC, Eastern Naval Command, Indian Coast Guard, Visakhapatnam Port Trust, Andhra University and police.
They proposed to bring the issue to the notice of the state government. Meanwhile, Mr Kumar directed the GVMC officials to instal surveillance cameras at the beaches as a part of smart city initiative to alert the tourists. He also asked tourism department to set up more boards.
