Body recovered from Khandepar creek after intense search operations
Team Herald
PONDA: A pall of gloom descended on Sainagar, Usgao, when 11-year-old Darshan Santosh Narvekar lost his life as he was swept away in a flooded Khandepar creek while he was returning home from tuitions.
Police said that the incident took place at around 5.30 pm on Wednesday, when Darshan was returning home from tuition, as usual, accompanied by four other boys. Heavy rainfall had caused the creek to overflow, and Darshan was believed to have been swept away by the strong currents.
Police say that Darshan lost his footing while crossing the flooded stream and could never return. The other boys following Darshan tried to rescue him, but their efforts were in vain. His elder sister soon arrived at the scene and although they desperately cried, they could not save him.
As the news spread like wildfire, authorities rushed to the scene to initiate a search. Villagers, along with fire personnel and the police, continued searching throughout the night, hoping that Darshan might still be alive. However, despite their efforts, the search was unsuccessful.
His body was found floating in the Opa river at Ghotmod, Usgao, at around 1.30 pm on Thursday - nearly 17 hours after the search operations began. The search was conducted by fire personnel, marine rescue teams, and several local volunteers.
Darshan’s father had passed away two years ago and since then, his mother has been working hard to support the family comprising of a Darshan and his two sisters. Not only is his family grieving, but the entire community of Usgao and Ponda is heartbroken by this tragic loss.
Locals have been heard blaming the unpredictable retreating rainfall for the tragedy, with many stating that the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) should have issued a warning about the rains. Usgao local, Suraj Garad, remarked that given the changing weather conditions and sudden rains, families should be prepared for unpredictable weather and take extra precautions for their children.
Withdrawing monsoon unleashes fury on Goa
Old market area flooded in Margao
Team Herald
MARGAO: The incessant rain on Wednesday night caused flooding of the Old Market Margao area which also blocked the key road that connects Margao to the Colva Circle or another internal road that leads to the Holy Spirit Church
The entrance near shops situated on either side of the Old Market road, which falls under ward 10 of the Margao Municipal Council (MMC), as well as the neighbouring Cidas Almas Capel at Old Market were fully water logged. There was some damage to two-wheelers that had been parked on the side of the road too
Local residents have blamed the ongoing development work by the PWD and claimed proper care was not taken to ensure that the drainage channels are not blocked. Locals also questioned how a few hours of rain caused such flooding and demanded that action be taken immediately to prevent similar situations from occurring if it had to rain again, as it has recently, despite the monsoon season
being over.