Jellyfish warning signs at Juhu, Versova beach

DNA Westcoast Mumbai Friday, July 18, 2008

Guards stationed there will also provide first aid
Manish K Pathak. Juhu

After blue jellyfish were found washed ashore on Juhu beach earlier this week, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) K-West Ward plans to put up warning signs and hoardings on beaches, including Juhu and Versova, in the suburbs for the awareness of the general public. K-West Ward officer Sunil Dhamne said, “Most people are not aware that blue jellyfish wash up on shore during the monsoons, therefore we have made hoarding boards and installed them at two to three places on Versova beach and four to five places on Juhu beach. People who live near the beaches may know about it, but most people from other places are unaware of this. We plan to install the boards at major spots like, the Barista entrance and the Cafe Coffee Day path to Versova beach.”Another BMC official in charge of the beach area, K-West Ward, added, “We are putting up the warning posters at every path to Juhu beach that the public uses. Most tourists come to the beach but are not aware of the blue jellyfish, so warning posters help to make them aware.” Sunil Kanojia, who operates the NGO, Sea Guardian Lifeguards, said, “When the blue jellyfish washed up on shore in large numbers, we stationed some of our guards who work for our NGO on the beach. They were carrying lemon and ice with them, to apply on the wounds of people who were stung by the jellyfish. The application of lemon and ice reduced the swelling, after which they were taken to hospital for further treatment. Many children were among those who were stung, as they didn’t know what jellyfish looked like.”The medical officer of the BMC informed, “The BMC has alerted lifeguards, who are making announcements at the beach and putting up warning posters. Lifeguards also provide anti-allergy medicine to sting victims, and in emergency cases, get them admitted to Cooper Hospital.”p_manish@dnaindia.netWarning signs being prepared at the K-West Ward office