Panaji (Goa): Owing to the warning issued by the weather department in Goa, Drishti Lifesaving Services has issued advisory cautioning locals as well as the tourists not to venture into the sea or indulge in water sports of any kind over the next 96 hours.

The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted weather and sea conditions to be rough and heavy showers to continue for the next few days.

Heavy rains have lashed the State and the adjoining districts since the last three days. This has also led to a tragedy wherein a group of five out of 50 trekkers from Goa drowned at Nagarmadi waterfalls in Kerala. In the wake of this incident, Water Resources Minister Vinod Palyekar has also issued a separate advisory asking people not to venture in rivers. “Due to incessant rains all the dams in Goa especially Salauli, Anjunem, Amtane and panchwadi are filled and excess water is left in the river downstream. The public are hereby cautioned by the WRD not to venture in the rivers especially downstream of the dams due to sudden rise in water level due to heavy precipitation in the catchment,” he posted on his social media account.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday forecasted heavy to very heavy rainfall from September 18 to 21.

The Goa government shuts the beaches for swimming and all water sports activities during the monsoon months every year from June to September as the sea tends to be extremely rough and choppy .