Day 2: Floods, fallen trees and frustration in North Goa
Team Herald
MARGAO: Heavy pre-monsoon showers continued to batter North Goa for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, throwing normal life into disarray. Widespread flooding, disrupted traffic, and infrastructure damage were reported across the region, exposing glaring gaps in emergency response and monsoon preparedness.
The mood across the State was one of anxiety and frustration, as residents struggled with recurring civic issues that seem to surface with every heavy downpour. From blocked roads to flooded homes and unresponsive helplines, the rain laid bare the State’s inability to respond effectively.
In Panjim, a mango tree collapsed outside the Collectorate, damaging over 10 two-wheelers parked in the area. In Kasarvarne, Pernem, a massive banyan tree came down, blocking a key stretch near the National Highway and crushing a four-wheeler in the process.
In Khorlim, Bardez, the residence of 80-year-old Shyamsundar Karekar was flooded during the heavy downpour. The family had to remove the water manually, with no help arriving despite multiple calls to emergency services. “I called 1076 and 101 but couldn’t get through. I even tried 108. No one came. We had to take the water out ourselves,” Karekar said. “There’s nothing left to say. Big promises are made and published in newspapers, but when help is needed, no one shows up.”
Persistent waterlogging was reported outside Adil Shah Palace in Panjim, where a staff member of the Museum Department said, “This is nothing new. It happens every year. The problem is with the drain, which gets choked. Efforts have been made to clean it, but without success. Clearing it would mean digging up a busy road. Nothing permanent has been done.”
Water also accumulated at Miramar Circle, where locals pointed out that the road at the junction hasn’t been levelled properly, leading to recurrent flooding at the same spot. “This part of the road remains lower than the others connected to it,” said Vikas Chari, a resident.
Meanwhile, Kala Academy reported leakage in its open-air theatre, raising safety concerns. Francis Coelho from Kala Rakhonn Mand said, “The entire structure is a disaster waiting to happen. A short circuit could lead to a serious mishap. Ministers should stop giving speeches and cutting ribbons and focus on fixing the infrastructure.”
Despite mounting criticism, CCP Mayor Rohit Monserrate appeared dismissive. “Nothing has happened in Panjim. The problems were in Mapusa. As for old buildings, I’ve spoken to the Goa College of Engineering and will soon share a list of at-risk structures. The Forest Department listed around 300 trees, and about 150 are still left to be pruned. The teams are working. Yesterday’s events were like a trial. We’re addressing the rest now,” he said.
Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane announced that the Dudhsagar waterfall gates will remain closed to tourists due to safety concerns. In a public advisory, he urged both residents and visitors to stay away from waterfalls and trekking trails, warning of flash floods, strong currents, and dangerously slippery terrain during the ongoing spell of heavy rain.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for the next two days, followed by a Yellow Alert for the subsequent four. “Heavy to very heavy rain is expected in several areas, with extremely heavy rainfall in isolated places. Thunderstorms with wind speeds of 50-60 km/h, gusting up to 70 km/h, are likely in both North and South Goa,” the IMD bulletin stated. A brief respite is expected later in the week.
48 hr-deluge leaves Margao gasping for reprieve
Team Herald
MARGAO: The relentless rainfall on Wednesday threw life out of gear in Margao and its outskirts, exposing serious gaps in urban planning and disaster preparedness.
The downpour caused widespread flooding, infrastructure failures and public distress across several localities.
In Margao town, key areas like the stretch in front of the Margao Municipal Council were submerged due to severe water-logging. A particularly distressing incident was reported near the Power House in Aquem, where children had to be rescued from a residential complex. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
The Margao Fire Brigade responded swiftly to multiple emergencies, including the clearance of a large fallen tree that had blocked the road near Victor Hospital, thereby restoring access for vehicles and emergency responders.
In Sao Jose de Areal, frustrated residents blamed the local panchayat for not clearing stormwater drains, leading to flooding of homes. Meanwhile, the Disaster Management Authority reported the collapse of a retaining wall at Damodar Housing Complex in Margao and three separate sewage-related incidents, one notably at Hospicio Hospital.
In Fatorda, gutter-cleaning work was ceremonially launched near the old market signal with a coconut-breaking ritual. However, locals were angered when the removed sludge was dumped on a key commuter route leading to Raia and Ponda — and left there for days despite ongoing rain.
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas criticised the recurring inefficiencies, remarking, “Goa's future hangs in the balance. Year after year, efficiency seems elusive.” He demanded accountability from the PWD sewerage contractor for the delayed manhole work near Colva Tinto, despite multiple follow-ups.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai called for unity, emphasising collaboration between government bodies and citizens. “We’ve started work on improving the nullah behind the Electricity Sub Station,” he said, while also criticising the civic body for failing to complete desilting of key drains before the rains began.
In Navelim, underground cable-laying near a transformer in Dialgona further worsened flooding. The heavy rain loosened the foundation, eventually causing a collapse of the structure’s fencing.
As rain intensifies, residents and public representatives are demanding immediate, long-term action. The situation once again highlights Goa’s ongoing struggle with inadequate drainage infrastructure and poor monsoon preparedness — turning the rains into a recurring urban crisis each year.