Digha: The Digha-Shankarpur Development Authority on Tuesday decided to ban tourists from venturing near the sea in Digha and Mandarmani during high tide.

The caution comes in the wake of seven deaths in the beach towns this month.

Digha police on Tuesday cordoned off the beach with ropes during high tide, while in Mandarmani hotels have been alerted to tell tourists not to go into the water during high tide.

The police and civic volunteers would strictly enforce the rules, a police officer said.

"Seven tourists have died in Digha and Mandarmani in June till now. So, we can no longer be slack. Even though the police, civic volunteers as well members of rescue teams repeatedly urge tourists to stay away from the water during high tide, many don't pay heed," the officer said.

A tourist was washed away by tidal waves in Digha earlier this month while taking a selfie. A brother and sister were killed and one person injured when they went to bathe in the sea at Mandarmani during high tide on Sunday.

Announcements are repeatedly made over the public address system. There are also boards alerting tourists to the danger spots.

"From Tuesday, police have started cordoning off the Digha beach with ropes to stop tourists from going near the sea during high tide. We don't want any more accidents," said the additional superintendent of police (rural), Indrajit Basu.

Police on Tuesday detained 25 tourists for going into the water during high tide. They were made to sit at Digha police station for two to three hours and later released with a warning. In Mandarmani, five tourists were arrested under Section 290 of the IPC (public nuisance) and fined Rs 200 each.

"We have taken strict measures in the interest of the tourists. There have been several deaths and we can't afford to take any chances," said the vice-chairman of the Digha-Shankarpur Development Authority and Trinamul MLA from Ramnagar, Akhil Giri.

The full moon high tide will take place on Thursday.

Police sources said that in Mandarmani it was not possible to keep strict watch on the tourists round the clock as the beach was 15km long. However, watchtowers have been built at two spots on the beach where tourists going into bathe are watched with power binoculars.Officer-in-charge of Mandarmani police station, Rajkumar Debnath said, "We are patrolling the beach on motorcycles. Tourists are also being watched from the watchtowers."The OC added, "We have also help from hotel owners in Mandarmani to warn tourists against going into the sea during high tide."

DSDA officials said that in the near future there were plans to create a border on the sea water with floating plastic balls to warn tourists about how far they could go.