Under Cyclone Tauktae influence, Diu drowns in low spirits

DIU: Barring monsoon when heavy rains pound Saurashtra coast, Diu always used to be teeming with lakhs of tourists. Guzzling down chilled beer and lazing around on pristine beaches, tourists, most of them from Gujarat, were the main drivers of this scenic Union territory's economy.
One could never get enough of the simple ride on rented scooters as they traversed the roads lined up with coconut trees, which epitomized the beauty of this place.
But drive through the town today and you are greeted with depressing scenes of uprooted trees, hotels with glasses and windows shattered and blown away shades. According to officials, nearly 7,000 trees are lying uprooted on the roads.
The beach town famed for its Portuguese style architecture is a pale shadow of its past glory. Never before in the last several decades has Diu witnessed such a devastation left behind by Cyclone Tauktae that roared into Gujarat from this coast on Monday night. Tauktae pounded Diu for nearly nine hours with wind speed of nearly 170-180 kmph beginning Monday evening.
The only people seen are teams of administration who are painstakingly trying to clear the roads of trees.
Ghoghla got Blue Flag certification last October
It was only in October last year that Ghoghla beach in Diu had earned the prestigious ‘Blue Flag’ certification granted to clean, safe and environment-friendly beaches, marinas and sustainable boating tourism operators. In fact, the administration persevered to earn this coveted title and spent around Rs 22 crore in 2018 to meet the criteria for Blue Flag tag.
Chandresh Solanki, Ghoghla beach manager, said, “Several structures including canopies, showers, toilet blocks, and changing rooms were shattered by the cyclone. The beauty of this beach was the plantation which has also flattened.”
A team of 32 people were engaged in managing the beach after getting the Blue Flag status, but currently there are around 11 only since March-end due to Covid-induced situation.
Besides its cleanliness and safety, Ghoghla beach was preferred by tourists as liquor is not permitted here and guards are constantly on the move to ensure there is no nuisance.
Amenities on the beach were developed as per the norms of Foundation of Environmental Education (FEE) that awards the Blue Flag status. The beach has a demarcated swimming zone, bamboo canopies for seating, showers, changing rooms for men and women, toilet blocks, a well-developed garden and recreation facility for children. There is a watch tower where a guard is deputed to see that nobody drowns while swimming in the sea. It has now gained more popularity over Nagoa beach.
“To retain the status of Blue Flag for Ghoghla, we have to apply every year. This year we have already applied for it and before the team of certification visits, we will restore the beauty of this beach, ” said Solanki.