Bhatkal blue lagoon ‘unsafe’ for swimming

Bhatkal 9 September 2018: (Bhatkallys News Bureau) A local quarry in Bhatkal has taken over the social media with its picturesque blue water with youths rushing to the spot for pictures and swimming in the quarry, lately. The spot soon was named 'Maldives of Bhatkal' by the local youngsters, whose accounts were flooded with the pictures of the blue water. The officials while citing it 'unsafe' for swimming has now imposed prohibition on swimming in the water, while also claiming that the earlier private land is now leased by IRB and swimming in it amounts to trespassing. Forest officials are now seen patrolling the locality, also fining those getting into the water. The water however is said to be the rain water grounded in the quarry that was made by demolishing the site with dynamites by IRB to extract stones used in construction of road. The reason for the color phenomena is not known yet, with locals coming up with several theories behind it, however none of the theory is scientifically proven. The officials also believes that as dynamites have been used for the demolition on site, the surrounding rocks and land can be subjected to landslides, hence putting the lives of swimmers in danger. Forest officials while speaking to Bhatkallys.com requested our readers to avoid visiting the place, or at least avoid swimming and reaching the edges of the top as those are vulnerable and landslides are a possibility. (Bhatkallys News Bureau/ Ismail Zaorez)