Tourism dept warns of floods, surge in sea levels on Jan 1, 2

Panaji: The tourism department has warned shack owners and water sports operators that due to a full moon on January 2 and January 31, there is a good chance that high tide could lead to flooding along the coastal belt. The tourism department has asked stakeholders along the beach belt to take necessary precautions.
The North Goa district magistrate informed the tourism department that January 2 and January 31 will be full moon days, where the moon would be closest to the Earth in its orbit, a phenomenon known as Supermoon.

"Due to this, there is a likelihood of surge in the high tides and possibility of flooding of the beaches affecting shacks, water sports and other beach activities," director of tourism Menino D'Souza said.

The tourism department has informed the tourist security force, Drishti lifeguards, and All Goa Traditional Shack Owners Association.

The association's president Cruz Cardoz said that the tourism department's message had been relayed to all the shack operators through calls and social media. Cardoz rued that the department had not informed shack operators how much the water level could rise.

"Nobody knows how high the water will reach," Cardoz said. "If it is like Ockhi, then things will be bad and we will not be able to help anybody. The government should help."

Shack operators appeared nonchalant, saying that every January or December-end, a spring tide phenomenon occurs but no damage ensues.

The tourism department's warning comes around peak tourism season when domestic and international tourists head to beaches to usher in the New Year.

"I don't think this will affect New Year celebrations because this warning is for January 1 evening," Cardoz said.

The lifeguards of Drishti marine services will also be on standby to monitor the rise in water levels.