Panaji, Nov 6 (TOI): In one of the worst jellyfish invasions in the state in recent years, a few hundred tourists have been stung by the gelatinous animals as fresh blooms continue to surface on beaches.

Jellyfish hit the 26-km-long Salcete shoreline around the same time guests for the mid-October Brics 2016 summit set foot in the state. The menace spread to North Goa’s coast, especially Calangute, within a week but subsided soon after.

Blooms have resurfaced in Calangute and have also spread to the shores of Anjuna and Morjim, leading to a rash of jellyfish stings among tourists. The unwelcome marine guests, lurking in the surf zone, have turned some visitors’ holidays into virtual nightmares as victims complain of prolonged, severe pain and itchiness after being stung.

“More than 50 cases of tourists affected by jellyfish stings were reported at Calangute beach itself on Thursday,” a source said. And while over 10 instances were reported on Saturday, it is likely that the rising incidence of blooms along the popular North Goa beach have affected a few hundred holidaymakers.

“This is a global phenomenon, but the reason for fresh blooms appearing again and again has to be scientifically studied,” fisheries scientist at the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Baban Ingole, said. 

Jellyfish usually die soon after being stranded on the beach. “Some are quite big and weigh between one and two kg,” a fisherman said.

Blooms disappeared from the Salcete shore after their mid-October invasion, but have begun reappearing in smaller numbers along the Velsao-Mobor stretch and also in Canacona.

“South Goa beaches are almost free of the menace now,” a source said.

Lifeguards associated with Drishti Lifesaving Private Limited keep alerting tourists and others via loudspeakers upon sighting jellyfish on a particular beach. “This usually happens at low tide, when they can be easily seen, but most tourists, being in holiday mode, tend to ignore the warnings,” fisherman said.

Victims of jellyfish stings are also given first aid by the lifeguards. First, ice and a bit of vinegar are applied to the affected area. If the pain doesn’t subside, victims, especially children, are taken to hospital and kept under observation.