MARGAO: Salcete faced severe disruption on Sunday as heavy rains accompanied by strong winds wreaked havoc, damaging five houses, one hut, and five vehicles that were struck by fallen trees. Fortunately, no injuries were reported despite the significant property damage.
Major incidents included the collapse of a portion of a house at Shirvodem-Margao, where former Home Guard Vimal Shirodker, the owner, narrowly escaped harm as he had just stepped out. Two large tree branches fell on the road, damaging three cars, with firefighters managing to save property valued at Rs 10 lakh while a loss of Rs 25,000 was reported.
In Velim, another house suffered damage due to the heavy rains, although the estimated loss remains undisclosed. Near Manohar Parrikar Indoor Stadium at Colmorod-Navelim, a tree fell on a house.
Additional incidents included a jackfruit tree collapsing on a house and vehicles in Mugali, Davorlim, and another jungle tree falling on a hut in Mugali. Despite substantial damage amounting to an estimated loss of Rs one lakh, property worth Rs two lakh was salvaged in these cases.
Further instances of damage were reported, including a tree falling on a house near the Masjid in Shirvodem and the collapse of a mud house near Meera Apartment at Sirvodem, both fortunately resulting in no injuries but causing financial losses. IN addition, a huge mango tree fell on a road off the Margao-Colva road in Vanelim. Another tree fell on electric cables near Apollo hospital at Malbhat-Margao.
Station Fire Officer Gil Souza emphasized the active response of firefighters who cleared fallen trees and removed vehicles trapped under branches promptly across multiple locations, working in the heavy rain. Notably, incidents involved a tree branch falling on a compound wall at Ambajim-Fatorda, a jackfruit tree obstructing the road near Carmel College Nuvem, and another tree blocking the highway near St Francis Xavier Chapel in Navelim.
Efforts are ongoing to clear roads by cutting branches of fallen trees, with several incidents reported at SGPDA Market Margao, where a large branch fell on the road and damaged some metal grills, causing a loss of Rs 10,000.
Later in the evening, a coconut tree fell on a house located behind Damodar High School at Comba, and another collapsed on a compound wall near Fatorda Stadium.
Truptesh Naik, Station Fire Officer at Cuncolim, reported six incidents handled by his team, starting early in the morning and continuing until evening amidst heavy rains and communication challenges.
