Entry to Manginapudi beach banned - MACHILIPATNAM

MACHILIPATNAM: Entry to the Manginapudi beach near here has been banned by the district administration following a series of mishaps at the tourist spot in Krishna district.

On Monday night, two youths were feared drowned when they went for a swim in the sea. At least 12 persons have died in various incidents in the last six months.

“The beach is frequently visited by youths and revellers in odd hours. Most of them enter the deep waters unaware of the depth of the sea and lose their lives,” a local fisherman Kanakaraju said. He also pointed out several people getting into the waters in inebriated condition resulting in fatalities. Local fishermen have been trying to impress upon the authorities to open up the breaches in the beach so that people would know the depth of the sea.
Sources said despite several pleas, the officials have not bothered to set up safety nets in danger-prone areas along the beach. “They should erect huge sign boards highlighting safety measures and indicating the sea’s rough conditions to create awareness among the visitors, especially the youth,” pointed out a former municipality official. Local MLA and government whip Perni Venkatramaiah alias Nani promised that safety measures at the beach would be upgraded. He also promised the locals that the beach would be opened for tourists soon after improving.