<p>Panaji: As Goa has started receiving pre-monsoon showers, the beaches in the state, which are otherwise teeming with tourists and locals alike, are now wearing a deserted look.</p>.<p>The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday issued an 'orange' alert for Goa, forecasting heavy rains over the next four days.</p>.<p>Although the south-west monsoon is yet to arrive in Goa, the coastal state has started witnessing rains since Friday.</p>.<p>"This is the best time to be on the beaches. But it is not the right time to swim. One can go up to knee-deep water, but swimming is strictly prohibited," said Pele aka Fransisco Fernandes, a local fisherman from Benaulim beach.</p>.Early onset of monsoon spurs kharif sowing in Karnataka.<p>The sea is rough and fishing activities have stopped, he said.</p><p>"There is an official ban on fishing using motorised vessels from June 1 till July 31. Traditional fishermen are allowed, but for some period, they also stay away from the sea as it is rough," Pele said.</p>.<p>Drishti Lifesaving Services, a state government-appointed lifeguard agency, has installed red flags along the coast. Its personnel are seen patrolling the beaches.</p>.<p>Due to the change of season, the number of tourists has dwindled drastically and there is hardly any visitor on the beach.</p><p>"Goan beaches are cleaner during the monsoon. There are no shacks and no hurdles. You can walk freely on the beaches," said Rahul Gaikwad, a tourist from Mumbai, who has come with his family.</p>.<p>The tariff of hotels drop down drastically during the rainy season, making the stay affordable for the tourists.</p>.<p>A senior official from the state tourism department said Goa is focussing on round-the-year tourism.</p>.A good monsoon is what the country needs.<p>"There is nothing called off-season (in Goa). We want travellers to come to Goa even during the rainy season. Goa is greener during the monsoon," he said.</p>.<p>He said the concept of regenerative tourism introduced by the state government encompasses highlighting of the state's hinterlands.</p>.<p>'People can visit beaches, but they can at the same time spend more time in our hinterlands,' the official said.</p>
<p>Panaji: As Goa has started receiving pre-monsoon showers, the beaches in the state, which are otherwise teeming with tourists and locals alike, are now wearing a deserted look.</p>.<p>The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday issued an 'orange' alert for Goa, forecasting heavy rains over the next four days.</p>.<p>Although the south-west monsoon is yet to arrive in Goa, the coastal state has started witnessing rains since Friday.</p>.<p>"This is the best time to be on the beaches. But it is not the right time to swim. One can go up to knee-deep water, but swimming is strictly prohibited," said Pele aka Fransisco Fernandes, a local fisherman from Benaulim beach.</p>.Early onset of monsoon spurs kharif sowing in Karnataka.<p>The sea is rough and fishing activities have stopped, he said.</p><p>"There is an official ban on fishing using motorised vessels from June 1 till July 31. Traditional fishermen are allowed, but for some period, they also stay away from the sea as it is rough," Pele said.</p>.<p>Drishti Lifesaving Services, a state government-appointed lifeguard agency, has installed red flags along the coast. Its personnel are seen patrolling the beaches.</p>.<p>Due to the change of season, the number of tourists has dwindled drastically and there is hardly any visitor on the beach.</p><p>"Goan beaches are cleaner during the monsoon. There are no shacks and no hurdles. You can walk freely on the beaches," said Rahul Gaikwad, a tourist from Mumbai, who has come with his family.</p>.<p>The tariff of hotels drop down drastically during the rainy season, making the stay affordable for the tourists.</p>.<p>A senior official from the state tourism department said Goa is focussing on round-the-year tourism.</p>.A good monsoon is what the country needs.<p>"There is nothing called off-season (in Goa). We want travellers to come to Goa even during the rainy season. Goa is greener during the monsoon," he said.</p>.<p>He said the concept of regenerative tourism introduced by the state government encompasses highlighting of the state's hinterlands.</p>.<p>'People can visit beaches, but they can at the same time spend more time in our hinterlands,' the official said.</p>