Elderly couple from Mumbai drowns at Goa’s Candolim beach
Panaji: An elderly couple who were taking a stroll along Goa’s Candolim beach on Friday morning were pulled away by the high waves and drowned, police said.
Police said the incident took place at around 11am when four people, part of a larger group of 14 who were visiting Goa, decided to go for a walk on the Candolim beach.
Superintendent of police (SP) Akshat Kaushal said that while walking on the beach, three out of the four were swept away by the waves.
He said that the locals who were present at the scene immediately rushed and were able to rescue one woman, identified as Kalpana Parekh, 68, who is currently being treated at the Goa Medical College and Hospital. Whereas the bodies of an elderly couple, identified as Prakash Doshi, 73, and Harshita Doshi, 69, residents of Matunga in Mumbai, were brought out, said the SP.
Goa’s beaches are closed for swimming during the monsoon, and the lifeguarding agency has urged the public to avoid swimming due to rough sea conditions, including dangerous rip currents and high tides, in addition to strong winds, which makes venturing into the sea risk prone.
The west coast stretching from Phalghar in Maharashtra through Udupi in Karnataka is currently under a severe high tide alert with a warning that waves could range from 4-4.3 meters high.
Usually lasting from June to September, the monsoon brings with it unpredictable weather patterns, rough seas, and increasing rainfall, making water-based activities along the coastline especially dangerous.
Additionally, a warning has been released asking guests to stay away from the shoreline’s cliffs, slopes, and rough spots. These places become particularly hazardous during the monsoon season because of their slick surfaces. According to lifeguarding organization Drishti, the sea also sees increased wave height, severity, and frequency, greatly increasing the risk of beachgoers being pushed into the tumultuous waters.
