Team Herald
PANJIM/VALPOI/PONDA: Most parts of Goa experienced rainfall accompanied by gusty winds and thunder on Friday evening.
The sudden rains brought a respite from the heat, but the winds brought down trees and electricity poles in some parts of the State. Some places also complained of power outages but electricity supply was restored soon after the rains stopped.
In Satteri, many trees and electricity poles were uprooted blocking the main road of Valpoi town for an hour. Street side gaddas were also washed away by the rain water.
Locals said in some parts of Valpoi town rain water entered shops.
Many trees were also uprooted on the main road of Redeghati blocking the road for almost an hour, said Vishwanath Nene a local.
The Valpoi Fire Brigade fire personnel were busy clearing the roads as they received many calls regarding uprooted trees.
In Ponda, cyclonic winds accompanied by heavy rain caused havoc especially at Khandepar, Usgao, Kavlem, Borim, Bandora where several trees collapsed on houses and on roads. Roof-tops of many houses were also blown away and electricity poles uprooted.
The Ponda Fire Station received 25 calls.
Hail stones were witnessed at Savoiverem. At Khandepar and Usgao there were incidents of trees being uprooted and roof sheets of a temple were blown away.
The Meteorological Centre, Goa, had earlier in the day issued a forecast stating, “Light to moderate thunderstorms are very likely to affect isolated places over North Goa and South Goa districts during next three hours.”
“Light to moderate rain is very likely to be accompanied with lightning/thunder and winds reaching speed of 30-40kmph,” the release stated.
Fire fighters were pressed into service to clear the streets where trees were uprooted or branches had blocked the pathway.
No casualties were reported as residents are indoors due to the lockdown with only a few venturing out to buy essentials.
