Open beach is inviting, but don’t invite trouble

With more than 25 drowning deaths this year on Mumbai's beaches, do you think people’s fetish for open beaches is making them ignore danger?

With more than 25 drowning deaths this year, do you think people’s fetish for beaches is making them ignore danger?

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It is tragic that so many people have died because of drowning, particularly youngsters who had gone just to have fun. We do not have enough patrolling and lifeguards on beaches.

There is only one warning board on the beach and that too is ignored most of the time. The issues of high and low tides and safety measures are not spelt out any where and it is only when one visits the beaches we realise the status of the tides.

There is lack of space in Mumbai to enjoy and an open beach with breeze around is always a welcome invitation for any Mumbaiite.

The BMC should start by strictly manning the beaches on weekends when it is usually crowded and not leave this on the villagers who do not have the right equipment nor are trained to give first aid in case of drowning. In most of the cases the police arrived much later.

Few months ago there was a proposal by the BMC to give contracts (Rs 2 crore) to private parties for manning the beaches, which will include speedboats with medical aid kits, ropes, chains, torches, and flags etc, which are very essential for such a task.

In foreign countries clear indication of tides on beaches is given and also safe timings to visit the beaches are announced.

There were plans to put 24X7 watchtowers on every beach. None of these have been put in place. Particularly dangerous beaches should be barricaded to ensure no one visits them.

Every time a few groups of frolicking youngsters go to the beach they are shooed away by the few lifeguards present and not actually told about the dangers of undercurrent and high tides.

If the required infrastructure and lifeguards will be put in place it will ensure more safety and the presence of lifeguards will make picnickers more alert.

In short, there is an urgent need to upgrade safety measures on all beaches to make them a safe place and not a watery grave.

On the other hand most youngsters who unfortunately lost their lives were not swimmers. People should be more responsible when they go to beaches and not venture deep unless they have life jackets or have trained swimmers around. A little alertness from us can avert major tragedies.