Indian Space and Research Organization (ISRO), National Centre for Earth Sciences (NCES), and the Andhra University (AU) have researched and concluded that constant rip current zones at blue flag-certified Rushikonda beach and RK Beach have become a danger to the beach visitors.
Between 2012 to 2022, over 200 people drowned in the sea at various beaches in and around Visakhapatnam and 60 percent of deaths occurred in RK Beach.
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ISRO, Andhra University to Set up Equipment Along Beaches to Predict Rip Currents – Key Points
- ISRO, NCES, and Andhra University have conducted research and set up equipment to identify Rip currents to warn marines and local police.
- Major forecast experiments for rip currents are being planned in the city.
- The beaches that have turned into death traps are Bheemili Beach and Rushikonda Beach.
- Rip currents are common at all beaches across the globe. People can enter the waters in rip current zones up to knee-deep levels.
- More than 200 people drowned at various beaches in and around Vizag between 2012-2022.
- Along with Bheemili Beach and Rushikonda Beach, Yarada beach has also been included in having rip current zones.
- In the past six years, 60 people drowned in RK Beach alone.
What are Rip currents?
Rip currents are strong, narrow channels of fast-moving water which move from the shore toward the sea. The rip currents are so powerful that they pull people away from the shorelines towards the sea. Most people who are pulled away by the rip currents die when they cannot keep themselves afloat and swim to the shore. Rip currents are found on almost all the beaches of the world.