Varkala: With the new tourist season underway, concerns over safety at Papanasam and Kappil beaches in Varkala persist, as critical security measures remain insufficient. Despite a surge in both foreign and local visitors, these beaches lack adequate safety protocols, posing risks to unwary tourists.

Papanasam beach, listed among the top 100 best beaches in the world, continues to claim lives, with 21 fatalities, , including that of foreign tourists, reported in the past year alone. Accidents frequently occur as night hikers fall from cliffside paths. With no safety fences on hilltops, inadequate street lighting, and a lack of lifeguards, the risk to visitors remains high.

 

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Papanasam hill without the safety fence
Papanasam hill without the safety fence

Lack of security measures

Installed by the Tourism Department, security cameras covering the area from the helipad to Thiruvambady are either damaged or non-functional, increasing the risk of theft and violence as domestic tourist numbers climb. Moreover, there is an insufficient number of police officers, with only a handful patrolling the crowded areas.

 

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Cameras installed on Papanasam Hill are hanging by damaged cables
Cameras installed on Papanasam Hill are hanging by damaged cables

In Papanasam and Kappil, the tides pose a weekly threat to tourists, as both beaches frequently experience powerful waves. The recent accident involving Sreejith, a native of Adoor, who was swept away by the sea on Aaliyirakkam beach on Sunday, highlights the dangers tourists face. A week earlier, a visitor from Karnataka drowned nearby under similar circumstances. Many tourists, unaware of the local sea conditions, inadvertently put themselves at risk by disregarding lifeguard warnings.

Dangers of 'Kallakkadal' and unmonitored beaches

Several months of restrictions were imposed on entering the waters of Papanasam due to frequent accidents and the unpredictable kallakkadal phenomenon—when the sea swells suddenly, creating hazardous waves. This has led tourists to seek out alternative beaches such as Aaliyirakkam, Ernikal, Odayam and Vettakada, which lack lifeguard services.

Most fatal accidents in recent years have occurred in these unsupervised areas, with two deaths being reported in just one week due to falls into hidden ditches and undercurrents. In Kappil, eight people drowned in a single year, despite the beach having only one lifeguard. Ideally, at least four lifeguards would be needed to meet the safety demands of the area.

Lifeguard shortage amid rising tourist numbers

In 2012, Papanasam beach had 26 lifeguards; however, staffing has since reduced to only 12 workers, including two supervisors. Currently, only five lifeguards cover the entire beach area. While the main beach and Thiruvambady are monitored by three lifeguards, there are no lifeguards at the other popular spots—Aaliyirakkam, Ernikal, Odayam and Vettakada—leaving these beaches vulnerable to accidents. Although new lifeguards have undergone training, they are yet to be posted.

Safety concerns at Papanasam Hill

Papanasam Hill also poses risks due to the absence of safety fences, making it hazardous for tourists, especially at night. The narrow footpaths along the cliff lack proper lighting, and several areas drop abruptly into deep pits just beyond the paths. Tourists unfamiliar with the area who venture onto these paths after dark are more likely to encounter accidents.

Adding to these safety concerns, only three police officers patrol the busy coastline and cliff area at any given time, despite the large crowds. Security cameras, intended to monitor the region, are damaged and left dangling from cable.