In Goa's monsoon, thrill and risk ride together; stay safe

With the advent of the monsoon, ten days ahead of schedule, the weather is cool, the seas are rough and the coastline strewn with garbage. Yet, the visitors cannot get enough of Goa.

The State does not need to be sold anymore; instead the stakeholders need to put in place a mechanism where the host and guest are safeguarded from avoidable injuries.

Since it began raining, there have been three accidents on the stretch between Siolim and and all were self-accidents. Though there were no injuries, officials bordered on caution.

“There are many outsiders living in Goa and they must realise that our roads are not safe when it rains and drinking and driving is worse this time of the year,” a police officer attached to Police Outpost advised.

With CCTVs in many areas, everyone becomes vulnerable and it does not bode well to blame third parties for mishaps. “A tourist crashed his car and after being assisted by the locals claimed his car turned into a wreck as he was trying to save a dog,” said a witness to the accident.

Unfortunately for the tourist, the CCTV footage did not show the presence of any animal when the car turned turtle. And, the manner in which the visitor tried to justify his crash incensed the locals.

With CCTVs in many areas, everyone becomes vulnerable and it does not bode well to blame third parties for mishaps.

“There was no need for him to blame a dog for his rash driving. He should have thanked his stars that no local was walking on the road or he would have faced hell,” said an infuriated Glen who lives close to where the incident occurred.

Rough roads, branches of trees crashing or trees snapping on the roads are common occurrences during the first , apart from vehicles skidding off the road.

CHOPPY WATERS: Despite the heavy rains, tourists still continue to visit the beaches.

“Driving and riding are dangerous during the first rains and though most locals are aware of this, visitors should be cautious. Animals can disorient the traffic during the but not as much as the rain-inflicted road conditions,” explained a traffic policeman.

Despite the , Indian tourists have been flocking to beaches all over Goa and some have even been venturing into the sea making life difficult for the lifesavers on the beach.

Traffic policemanDriving and riding are dangerous during the first rains and though most locals are aware of this, visitors should be cautious. Animals can disorient the traffic during the monsoons but not as much as the rain-inflicted road conditions

“The staff on the beach has been reduced and we have to handle tourists who will not understand that it is not safe to go out to the sea when it is raining,” says an exasperated lifeguard Pradeep.

With sea water touching the sand dunes of most beaches and changing the face of the shores, many visiting and walking on beaches have been careful of the muck resting on the once clean sea shores.

“It is not possible to clean the in this weather and that is why all the dirt that is washed ashore accumulates, along with shards of broken bottles and metal that can be harmful,” says Pradeep.

Traffic in the North has reduced with fewer vehicles during the week but is expected to pick up during the weekend as parties will keep up their volume to draw in the crowd.

SILENCE BY THE SEA: With shacks gone, beaches look deserted.

“Except for three days of pre-seasonal showers, music could be heard in most places after 10 pm. The does not dampen the enthusiasm of party goers,” says Sheila who hosts guests at a party spot.

With the monsoons set, the game of hide and seek between the clouds and the sun has commenced and the ones who are here for clean fun are bound to end up dancing in the rains.