Team Herald
PANJIM: Cyclone ‘Kyarr’, which developed in the Arabian Sea during the wee hours of Friday, had its severe impact on the coastal State of Goa. Heavy rains, accompanied by stormy winds pounded the State as the ‘Kyarr’ moved along the west coast.
With the rains throwing normal life out of gear in for the third day on Friday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted that the downpour will continue with the same intensity on Saturday too. People are advised to avoid outdoor activities while fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea during the period.
IMD has issued a yellow alert for Goa on Saturday. It has said that along with heavy rains, State will witness gusty winds and rough sea conditions. It has asked tourists to avoid visiting the State till October 27.
Until the time the news report was filed, the cyclone was approximately at a distance of 260 kms from the Goa coast.
On Friday, the State received almost 110mm of rainfall. On Thursday, it had recorded around 99mm.
IMD Goa observatory, in a press statement issued, said that yesterday’s (Thursday) depression over east-central Arabian Sea moved east-northeastwards and intensified into a deep depression in the same evening over the same region.
“Moving further north-eastwards, it intensified into a cyclonic storm “Kyarr” early on Friday (October 25) morning, the over eastcentral Arabian Sea,” the observatory said.
The cyclone is very likely to move nearly northwards and then move west-northwestwards towards Oman coast during the subsequent 5 days.
“It is very likely to intensify into a severe Cyclonic Storm during next 12 hours and into a very Severe Cyclonic Storm during subsequent 12 hours. In view of intensification of the system, heavy rainfall is likely at one or two places over North Goa and South Goa districts on October 26,” IMD added.
Meanwhile, the rains caused major havoc in the State. Water logging, flooding, rise in river water level, uprooting of trees and electric poles, etc, were reported in almost every corner of the State.
The water level of the Mandovi River in the Capital was rising, restricting traffic to the islands of Chorao and Divar. “In view of the rising water level of the Mandovi, we have temporarily discontinued ferry services from these islands to the mainland,” a senior official from the River and Navigation Department said.
A large tree uprooted at DB Marg near Directorate of Health Services, which caused major inconvenience to the travellers. The traffic had to be diverted via interior roads.
Water entered into houses at Mala and other low lying areas. The KTC bus stand area remained flooded in the first half of the day. Flooding, along with pothole-ridden roads, have worsened the conditions for commuters.
The post monsoon, Goa has received almost 214 per cent surplus rains till date. From October 1 till now, the State recorded 448.6mm of rains as against the average 143mm.
