PANJIM: Normal life was thrown out of gear on Saturday as rains accompanied by gusty winds battered the State. Incidents of trees getting uprooted and crashing on houses, flooding of low-lying areas, snapping of live wires, rising dam levels and reports of house collapse kept firemen and Disaster Management teams on toes.
The State recorded 90.2 mm rainfall on Saturday even as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued Orange Alert for next five days with a warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall along with gusty winds in the State.
The total rainfall in the State has now crossed 2,000 mm mark and surplus rain of 20.5 per cent. Sankhali recorded the highest rainfall of 171.6 mm followed by Pernem which registered second highest rainfall of 135.8 mm and Mapusa which recorded 133 mm rain during the last 24 hours.
IMD which issued orange alert had predicted heavy rainfall (rainfall 64.4mm in 24 hrs) to very heavy rainfall (rainfall 115.5mm in 24 hours) very likely at a few places on Saturday and at isolated places on July 23, 24, 25 and 26 over Goa.
“Short intense spells and winds gusting to around 40 to 50 kmph likely along with the rainfall spell. Squally weather with wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph is very likely along and off South Maharashtra-Goa coast from July 22 and 23. Squally weather with wind speed reaching 40-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph is very likely along and off South Maharashtra Goa-coast on July 24 and 26, the IMD stated in its weather bulletin.
Two houses damaged in Adpai
PONDA: Two houses were damaged at Adpai as one fell on the other resulting in a loss of Rs 10 lakh to both the owners.
The incident happened on Saturday when an old mud house belonging to Vasudev Naik gave way and fell over the house of his neighbour Sarvoday Mulle due to which both suffered losses. Fortunately no injuries were reported.
Mulle said his TV, AC, computer, cupboard, refrigerator and other goods were damaged.
Uprooted trees landed on two other houses in Adpai and Agarpur damaging both. Firemen had a tough time clearing the area.
Live wires snap, two cows, dog electrocuted
High velocity winds snapped power lines in Adpoi killing two cows and a dog in the vicinity. The animals died when they came in contact with live wires. In the first case, an electric wire snapped at around 6.30 am in a residential area at Adpoi, killing a bull and a dog moving in area.
In another incident, a cow as electrocuted after a live wire snapped and fell on it. Locals said the wires are over forty years old and need to be replaced. Meanwhile, Khandepar River began to overflow and water entered into a temple premises. Similarly roads at Niranakal Bethora went under water due to the flooding of the river.
Ponda Fire Station received 12 calls and rushed to the rescue of people where trees had fallen on their houses.
House damaged at Honda
HONDA: Incessant rains wreaked havoc in rural parts of Sattari taluka, as a part of the house belonging to Kanta Vitthal Gaonkar from Saleli Bodanwada collapsed causing a loss of over Rs 60. Honda Talathi Tanuja Rane visited the site and conducted the panchanama to ascertain the loss. A part of his house had collapsed a few days ago, the other part gave way on Saturday night
Excess water released from Tilari dam
SAL: Excess water from Tilari Dam was released on Saturday, while the concerned departments have been asked to stay alert citing flood like situations in nearby villages. Dodamarg Taluka (Sindhudurg) Collector K Manjulakshmi inspected the Tilari Dam and its surrounding areas. or Manjulakshmi inspected the dam at 11 am to take stock of the situation and gave instructions to officers to take necessary measures to avoid possible flood like situation in nearby villages, as the excess water has been released.
Mhaisal dam overflows
PONDA: The Mhaisal dam in Panchawadi which had run dry in summer is now overflowing. Though a minor dam, the Mhaisal reservoir with its only perennial rain water source flowing from hills caters to the needs of Shiroda and Panchawadi villages by supplying around 10 MLD water. In summer, it had ran out of water forcing authorities to supply water to Shiroda, Panchawadi from OPA treatment plant. The officials also desilted the reservoir in summer.
Tiracol, Chapora rivers swell
PERNEM: Heavy rains along with the stormy winds continued to lash Pernem with Tiracol and Chapora rivers witnessing rise in their water levels. There has been flood-like situation in the areas parallel to the rivers. Fields and orchards have been largely submerged with the rain water.
Bicholim affected
BICHOLIM: Heavy and incessant rain accompanied by gusty winds has disrupted normal life in Bicholim taluka. The rivers in Bicholim, Assonora and Sankhali witnessed tremendous rise in water levels and the disaster management system has been alerted.
Water from Valvanti river in Sankhali is being pumped out and the same will be done if need arises at Bicholim river.
Incidents of trees falling on 7 houses were reported.
