Markets in Panjim, Mapusa and Assolna flooded Fire brigade kept on toes Property worth Rs 80,000 damaged
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM/ MARGAO/ PORVORIM: Incessant rains left many areas in the State under water inconveniencing people, uprooting trees and generally throwing life out of gear.
Markets at Panjim, Mapusa and Assolna were flooded with vendors in the capital having to sit under umbrellas in the complex itself. Water logging was reported in the Assolna market as people claimed that water entered some of the shops in the market area.
In Margao a government primary school and a couple of houses were damaged due to tree falling on them on Thursday even as the Margao fire brigade responded to around eight calls since morning. At Fatorda, a tree came crashing down on a government primary school, causing a loss of Rs 30,000. An incident of tree fall was reported at Carmona on a house, destroying property worth Rs 50,000.
At the Mapusa municipal market, water entered some shops in low-lying areas as incessant rains lashed the town on Thursday. Though the water receded in the evening, business activities were badly affected as customers could not enter the shops due to the ankle-deep water in the market.
The KTC bus stand was also flooded and passengers had a tough time in boarding buses.
Since the shops in the market are located in low-lying areas, water from the bus stand inundated the market area.
Till late Thursday evening, the fire brigade personnel were on their toes clearing the roads of trees and obstruction left behind by strong winds since morning.
Meanwhile, water logging was reported from the old station road Margao and near the Costa factory near the main Aquem road.
Traders along the station road cried foul over the failure of the authorities to clear the drains before the onset of monsoons. The traders pointed out that the station road is never spared during the rains and this year is no exception with the authorities failing to clean up the storm water drains.
Speaking to Herald, All Goa Merchants Federation Chairman Narayan Karekar said they had expected the Mapusa market to be flooded this year too, as the drains were not cleaned properly by the contractor appointed by Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC).
“There was no supervision on the part of the MMC while the drains were being cleaned. The main nullah behind the market was also not cleaned. Further, there is no proper outlet for the drainage to allow the water to flow in the nullah,” pointed Karekar.
“Since the toilet pipeline has also been connected to the main drain, waste water entered the market along with the rainwater and this could create a major health hazard. Due to the negligence on the part of MMC, the shopkeepers had to bear the brunt of the fury of rains,” alleged Karekar.
“The walls and roof of some shops have soaked badly and water started seeping into the shops due to poor maintenance of the municipal building,” said Karekar.
Canacona correspondent adds: Property was damaged at many places as torrential rains disrupted normal life in Canacona taluka on Thursday.
Incidents of trees falling and water logging were reported throughout the day in Canacona, while the highway was blocked for over half an hour. According to Canacona Fire Services, the fire personnel were kept on their toes to attend several calls throughout the day.
A coconut tree fell on the house of Ruzai Fernandes at Palolem, while another coconut tree fell on the house of Francis D’Souza at Ourem-Palolem.
At Colomb, a banyan tree damaged the house of Nandu Pagui, while a coconut tree came crashing down on the house of Armando Cardozo.
A tree uprooted on the NH17 road at Karmalghat disrupted highway traffic for over half an hour, before fire personnel reached the site and cleared the road.
Water logging was reported at Cazumoll-Khola, as rainwater entered the house of Elvis Fernandes. Water logging was also reported at Shristhal, where fire service personnel assisted in draining the water.
