Monsoon season has always been a problem at the Xavier Retreat House, Baga.The gusty winds across the State and torrential rains have caused a lot of panic and disaster amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among the many places badly affected is the Xavier Retreat House, Baga. This year the Retreat House has been witnessing a land slide that is taking place in a slow process for almost a month and the fear is that it may lead to a bigger landslide that can cause danger to the Jesuits living there since the landslide is adjacent to the approach road to the residence.

The hillock mostly of clay mud is now getting weak and every monsoon we have to face similar landslides. This year it is worse and may get worse in the course of time. The Jesuits have to park their vehicles down and walk up facing the danger of landslide and slippery road. We have also stopped visitors from coming due to the slippery condition of the road.

The Jesuits are very grateful to our Minister of Waste Management, Science and Technology, Post and Rural Development Michael Lobo for all the help rendered to clear the road block. We have to keep calling the JCB to clear the road but this is only a temporary relief.

We have been working with our MLA Michael Lobo and PWD Engineer Robert D’Souza to suggest the best safety measures we can have with regards to the landslide and a few following measures could be taken: 1. To approach the Forest officers and see whether the hillock can be levelled (which means it involves cutting of few trees) and later on planting new saplings to preserve the soil.

2. To build a new approach road since the present one is weak and often a threat to landslides and safety of people that come to the Retreat House.

The government officials can come and inspect the site and give suggestions.