When the first
showers began in October this year accompanied by lightning and thunder, it was considered the
retreating rains also known as ‘toddio paus’.
However, Cyclone Kyarr, which threatened to hit land and cause
havoc, but mercifully veered away to the sea, ended up disrupting life,
activities and events, leaving hapless Goans, well, thunderstruck
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
A beer fest has been called off, some weddings have been
affected, lives thrown off, music events and live concerts called off. The
Diwali weekend, albeit short because of Diwali falling on Sunday, looks to be a
dampener for some travellers visiting Goa during the diwali holidays of their
children , paying mammoth prices for air tickets
One of the biggest music festivals, Oktoberfest Goa 2019 was
scheduled on October 25, 26 and 27, 2019. The three-day beer festival, held in
Panjim features craft beers from local and national breweries. In its ninth
edition this year, the festival was planned according to schedule but the
weather played spoilsport. Sharlene Pinto, Event planner at Bullseye
Entertainment says, “We received a warning on Wednesday and we postponed the
dates because of the rains. The weather is out of our control and we had to
check the dates of the availability of the artists who will be performing. This
is completely unexpected weather and it feels like it’s the peak of the monsoon
season. Usually, we didn’t organise Oktoberfest so late in October. The first
season was held on October 8 and 9, 2011 and it was sunny and clear weather.
The rain has never hampered any of the previous editions,” says Sharlene.
She further adds, “This is a very humbling experience. We often
think that we have everything under control but there are things bigger than
us. I am happy that there are no weddings that I know of that have been washed
away because of the rains. Right now, we are working on a tentative date and
getting the confirmation of the artists. So far, all the artists have agreed to
move the date.”
Mc Eugene Pinto was handling a first of its kind fitness event
‘Crank it!!’ which was scheduled to take place on November 2, 2019 at Green
Amaze, Margao. However, looking at the weather forecast, Mc Eugene decided to
postpone the event. “I was checking the weather forecast online and I have been
following the ATS weather reports which indicate that there might be a big
storm from November 2 to 4, 2019. It is wise to change the dates of the event.
With so much of investments, I can’t’ take a ten percent chance of having the
event on the same dat. The event has been postponed to November 10, 2019 now
and all the Zumba instructors have confirmed their presence on the day, except
ZES Abdul from Chennai. The venue and others involved have agreed to move the
event. This is the first time we have the monsoons carry out till end of
October,” says Mc Eugene.
Fortunately for Gawin Valadares, Quinta De Valadares, a spacious
venue for weddings in South Goa, didn’t have any weddings in October this year.
“We will be starting the season in November. We didn’t have any bookings in
October. Otherwise, we have an indoor space that can accommodate the guests in
case of rains. Last season, we had two weddings which were affected by the
rains and had to be shifted indoor,” says Gawin.
Meanwhile, places which promote live music like the Enfield
garage Cafe, on the Baga creek road, have called off their Friday gig, not wanting
to take a change with the weather.
But
there were others who had to do exactly the opposite. Get on the ground as the
rains and the wind showed no signs of going away. Shrikrishna R Parrikar,
Station Fire Officer in Panjim had a hectic day as the monsoon gave no relief
and continued battering the Capital city. “From yesterday night, we have been
receiving calls about falling of trees. We cleared 15 trees in Panjim itself
and it has been a very hectic day,” he said.
