TEAM HERALD
CALANGUTE: Unexpected showers accompanied by lightning and thunder on Thursday evening forced domestic tourists to cut short their stay in Calangute.
The domestic tourists, who had come down to Calangute with cooking material including gas cylinders, were forced to pack up following heavy showers on Thursday.
The heavy rains and strong winds led to uprooting of trees and damage to electricity poles, resulting in disruption of power.
“We had come down to Goa on Wednesday and had planned to stay till the weekend; however, the prevailing rain situation in Goa accompanied by lightning and thunder will not allow us to enjoy our holidays,” said T N Ramamurthy.
Meanwhile, heavy rains accompanied by high velocity winds created havoc in the coastal villages of Calangute cutting off power supply due to falling of trees, branches and electricity poles. With exception of a few places, power supply was restored in the coastal areas at about 2 am.
The rains forced people to run and cover their open houses undergoing pre-monsoon renovations and repairs, while the developmental works were hard hit due to heavy downpour. The heavy rains also flooded the entrance point to the Calangute Beach Promenade.
Water logging along the Calangute-Baga road will also be a cause of concern for authorities as the footpath is ready but the waterways have been blocked.
