Team Herald
CUNCOLIM: Heavy rains and gusty winds created havoc, paralysing normal life in Cuncolim and surrounding areas. There were many incidents of trees being uprooted and damaged electricity poles in Cuncolim, Assolna, Velim, Betul, Balli, Veroda, Barcem, Morpilla, Fatorpa and surrounding areas.
A coconut tree fell on an electrical pole near the Cuncolim Municipal Council building, snapping the wires and cutting off power.
A huge banyan tree, reportedly 200 years old, was uprooted near the Shantadurga Servicing Centre. Another gigantic tree fell on the NH17 near Comba, close to the Bata Shop.
The continuous rain also affected the market, deflating expectations of huge crowd ahead of Diwali.
Rains also upset the Narkasur preparations in many places. Various competitions were organised but some of those organising the contests said they may cancel them.
CMC workers, Fire Brigade, police and employees of Electricity Department were busy attending to the various issues. Power in some parts of Cuncolim was restored by 7 pm.
Officials from the lectricity department stated that more than ten electrical poles had been damaged due to the uprooting of trees and that all efforts were underway to restore power.
“CMC with the cooperation of the Fire brigade and Electricity department have been working hard continously, to restore electricity and clear the uprooted trees from the road. CMC team also cleared the mess created by gusty winds. We received more than 20 calls of tree falling,” added Balso Dessai, CMC Market Inspector.
There was a similar situation in Balli which was without power for the entire day, so much so that the Balli Primary Health Centre (PHC) faced several hardships, which included water supply issues.
