LANDSLIDES AT CHORLA GHAT DUE TO HEAVY RAINFALL

A week back there was a landslide at Ambolim, then Ratnagiri and now at Chorla Ghat. The reason behind these landslides is still unknown. Incidents at Ambolim have forced Maharashtra Police to impose strict restrictions on the tourists visiting Ambolim waterfall. A youth from Belgaum died at Ambolim on Sunday when a rock fell on him while bathing at Ambolim. But are the Ghats really falling apart?

Chorla Ghat

During the monsoon, Ambolim calls you for a refreshing weekend to experience its beautiful greenery and gushing waterfall. Like a tradition thousands of tourists from various places including Goa flock to the Ambolim waterfalls. But sadly this year the case is different. Ambolim is undergoing landslides and casualties. Last Sunday an youth from Belgaum died at Ambolim when rocks fell on him whilst having bath at the waterfall. Maharashtra Police have taken strict note of the situation and are controlling the tourist flow and other activities at Ambolim. Police do not allow the tourists to visit the danger points at Ambolim. Just a few days back there was a landslide at Ambolim Ghat. The roads are still blocked with the debris and boulders. Sawantwadi Police Inspector, Jagdish Shinde said that the danger still lurks and the danger spots have been blocked as landslides could occur again without any signal. Small vendors and shopkeepers said that the tourists do not take enough precautions. They said that tourists ignore all the warnings from them and continue having bath at the waterfall and also take their children along. The death of the Belgaum youth have opened the eyes of the Maharashtra Police. They are observing strict conduct at Ambolim. Doubtlessly it will effect the tourist flow but the danger of landslide could cause more casualties has to be avoided. This year has seen many landslides at the Western Ghats. Just like Ambolim, Chorla ghat has also started falling apart.

The railway route from Goa to Ratnagiri was blocked for a few days due to a heavy landslide at the Ratnagiri station. Such landslides were unheard at Ambolim and the Western Ghats. The clearing of the debris and boulders on the roads blocking the traffic is in progress. It is a tremendous job to be done because anything can happen whilst the work of clearing is in progress. There is also danger on the Chorla Ghat on the Goan side and needs to be looked into.