Heavy rainfall once again caused the historic Portuguese-era Valshe bridge in the Sanguem constituency to go under water, highlighting the recurring problem of seasonal flooding in the area. The downpour led to swollen rivers that spilled over their banks, sending strong currents across the bridge and cutting off road connectivity for nearly three hours. Commuters and residents found themselves stranded on either side, unable to move until the waters receded.
This is not the first time the Valshe bridge has faced such disruption. Locals say the flooding is tied to the bridge’s colonial-era design, which leaves it sitting too low to withstand today’s intense and frequent rainfalls. The structure, once adequate for its time, now struggles with modern weather extremes.
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During the disruption, Minister Subhash Phaldessai’s Private Secretary, Suhas Deyekar, along with party workers, stepped in to provide immediate assistance. They cleared debris such as logs and branches that had accumulated at the base of the bridge, worsening the waterlogging and prolonging the blockage. Their prompt efforts ensured that traffic flow was restored more quickly than expected.
By the evening, vehicles and pedestrians were able to use the bridge again safely. While the situation was brought under control, the incident has reignited conversations about the urgent need to strengthen and modernize key infrastructure in flood-prone regions like Sanguem. Residents remain concerned that unless a long-term solution is implemented, such interruptions will only grow more frequent and disruptive with each monsoon season.
