HEAVY RAINS LASH GOA WITH GUSTY WINDS SINCE TWO DAYS

PANJIM: Incessant rainfall accompanied by gusty winds, over the last two days, caused floods and wreaked havoc by uprooting trees, damaging houses and disrupting power supply across the state.  In Bicholim, the market area and the locality around the Shantadurga high school were submerged with losses estimated at Rs 3 lakh. The school authority also announced a holiday for its pupils in view of their safety. Traffic in the town was blocked for almost three hours.

The flooding was caused by torrential rains in the ghat region, which led to a rise in the water level in the rivers.  Bicholim mamlatdar Pramod Bhat, deputy collector Narayan Gad and water resources officials visited the flood affected area. "The time has now come to make a detailed enquiry about cause of floods in Bicholim," said mamlatdar Bhat. "The water level at Anjunem dam has not crossed the danger mark till date. If it reaches the mark, water from the dam will have to be released leading to a possibility of a flood," he added.

Villages in Ponda taluka also witnessed uprooting trees damaging property, with losses estimated at 1.25 lakh.  Fire personnel at Pernem had a busy day at work, clearing trees that fell across roads in Mandrem, Pernem town and Morjim.

Mandrem also did not have regular power supply at several places during the last four days, with department officials blaming the delay in restoration to shortage of staff.

Cansaulim village in Marmugao witnessed many areas inundated with knee-high water levels. The localities around the sports complex, panchayat ghar, electricity department and telephone exchange were the most affected.

The flooding brought life in most parts of the village to a standstill. Students of St Thomas higher secondary school faced inconvenience while trying to leave the premises after class. Verna in Salcete saw a tree falling onto the houses of Agnus Colaco and Rita da Silva. The total loss estimated was 30,000. – TNN