Panaji, September 1 -- A Ganesh Chaturthi reveller was rescued from drowning at Mapusa tar on Sunday night by a Drishti Marine lifesaver, bringing into focus the role of special teams of lifesavers who were deployed at various Ganesh Chaturthi immersion sites across Goa to prevent drowning or other untoward incidents.

The incident occurred at around 9:30 pm, when a 38-year-old man from Hubli entered the water at a pond near Mapusa tar to retrieve a stool that he had used for idol immersion, which had floated away.

Due to a strong current, he panicked and called for help. On-duty Lifesaver Rakesh Kumar immediately jumped into the water, secured the victim and brought him safely ashore. The individual was found to be safe and did not require further medical assistance.

Drishti Marine had deployed trained lifesavers at 47 visarjan points across the state to supplement safety and law and order efforts undertaken by the state administration and various security agencies.

The state government-appointed lifesaving agency had deployed its lifesavers across 47 immersion points — 35 beaches and 12 inland locations — on all designated visarjan days. Drishti Marine lifesavers will also be deployed on the forthcoming visarjan days, namely September 2, 4, 6 and 17 (21st day immersion).

Drishti Marine teams will remain stationed at the designated locations until late in the night to ensure adoption of safe practices during idol immersion.