The effect of the sandstorm at Baga beach was such that one could only see sand in air, making visibility poor for vehicles users. There was also frequent power shut down which caught tourists and people unawares.
Picnikers and locals with their kids and elderly people run towards the chapels at both end of Baga i.e. Calangute and Arpora.
The sandstorm was quite severe, followed by showers, while people were forced to take shelter at the beach areas itself since high velocity winds and showers followed by power shut down made it impossible for them to leave. The night sky was shattered by the shrieks of children at Baga beach due to rains, as many shivered in the sudden rains. The tourists too ran for covers into hotels and shacks to avoid getting drenched in the showers.
Panjim reporter adds: Unseasonal rain accompanied by bolts of lightning and rolling thunder hit large parts of the state late tonight bringing slight relief from the soaring mercury of the past few days.
According to the met department the mercury was in the 35 degrees and climbing towards 37 looking like 40.
Today’s sudden rains after a muggy and hot evening took all by surprise including the electricity department and most places in the state were without power for the duration of the rain and beyond.
Normally, monsoons hit the state by the second week of June coming from Kerala.
The mango yield, already affected by earlier rains is likely to be affected further and rates likely to soar even higher.
