MARGAO: The raging blazes that engulfed a hill at Patnimorodd-Chinchinim has caused irreversible damage to vegetation and biodiversity in the village.
The Fire and Emergency Services team which rushed to the area however stood helplessly in the absence of a road access to the site while the flames kept spreading fiercely. Panicked residents rushed with buckets of water to bring the flames under control which was quite an uphill task.
Deusa-Chinchinim sarpanch Valentino Barretto, said that vast tracts of vegetation was destroyed as it was impossible for the fire brigade to proceed to the site as the roads were very narrow.
“ Small fire brigades need to be pressed into service immediately so that such incidents don’t happen again,” Baretto stated.
Panch Frank Viegas said that he needed the people’s to support to widen roads in the village and added that a small fire brigade is the need of the hour today.
Reacting to the incident, Velim MLA Cruz Silva demanded that the government act immediately and purchase smaller fire brigades that could move into the narrow village roads.
Silva further said that the huge vegetation and biodiversity could have been saved today if the Fire and Emergency Services had pressed in light vehicles.
