Lifeguards at sea as visitors breach warnings on state's beaches

Mangaluru/Udupi: Trained lifeguards have been deployed at all major beaches in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, to ensure the safety of beachgoers and prevent untoward incidents.  

The local administrations have taken measures to enhance coastal safety in view of the significant increase in tourist footfall.

Primary responsibilities of lifeguards include monitoring visitors, issuing warnings during rough sea conditions and conducting rescue operations if necessary.

Authorities have installed signage at beaches, urging visitors not to venture deep into the water. The public have been requested to cooperate with lifeguards and avoid entering restricted areas.

However, no lifeguards or home guards have been stationed at Chitrapura, Idya and Bengre beaches.

Dakshina Kannada tourism department incharge deputy director Dilip Kumar told DH that 19 lifeguards had been deployed across Tannirbavi blue flag, Panambur, Tannirbavi main and Sasihithlu beaches.

Pravasi Mitra guards have been stationed at Someshwara, Ullal, Tannirbavi main, Panambur, Surathkal and Sasihithlu beaches, he said. 

“We don’t get much crowd on weekdays. But on long weekends, festivals and government holidays, the number of visitors increases and it becomes difficult to manage with limited staff. If we stop tourists from entering the water, they move a little further and get into the water,” the lifeguards said.

In the second week of April, four women were rescued from drowning at Ullal beach by members of Shivaji Jeevarakshaka team and a lifeguard.

“Those who come from outside the district are not aware of the depth of water in the sea. In spite of warning the people, they enter the water and get caught in strong currents,” sources said.

Lakshmish Bhandary, partner of Kadali Beach Tourism Development which manages Panambur beach, said: “We have eight to 10 lifeguards at the beach who monitor visitors entering water. After 6.30 pm, people are not allowed into the sea. There are watchtowers to keep an eye on tourists. Wearing life jackets is mandatory for all water sports at Panambur beach. Security guards are deployed at night to ensure people don’t enter the
water.”

Dilip Kumar said following the drowning of three students at a resort pool at Ullal in November 2024, the department has issued safety guidelines for all resorts and beach houses with pools or direct beach access.

The guidelines mandate the presence of trained lifeguards and installation of boards mentioning the depth of the pool, availability of safety equipment and clearly defined pool use timings.

Udupi tourism department assistant director Kumar C said comprehensive safety measures had been implemented across the district’s beaches.

Eleven trained lifeguards equipped with life-saving gear have been deployed at Maravanthe, Trasi, Malpe, Kaup and Someshwara beaches, he said.

Agencies responsible for beach maintenance are strictly instructed to train lifeguards properly.

To assist visitors, ‘tourist mitras’ have been stationed — one each at Kaup, St Mary’s island, blue flag beach in Padubidri, Malpe seawalk and Maravanthe.

Malpe alone has three tourist mitras to manage the high tourist footfall. CCTV surveillance has been installed at several beaches. 

Kumar said operators offering adventure and water sports in the backwaters have been directed to deploy adequately trained lifeguards.