Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: It’s been four months now and the monsoon season is at the fag end yet the rains refuse to recede.
On Tuesday, normal life was thrown out of gear as heavy to very heavy rains led to flooding in several parts of the State, along with incidents of waterlogging, tree felling and power outages.
A major landslide was reported at Verna-Loutolim missing link thereby blocking traffic movement in both directions. However, no injuries or accidents were reported. The road access was blocked due to debris.
Due to the heavy rains, Bicholim, Sankhali Sanguem, Sanvordem and Quepem areas faced flooding and a rise in sea water level. Not only the roads but schools and residential houses also faced heavy water flooding.
In the capital city of Panaji, various areas like Interstate Bus Terminal, Patto, D B Road, and Miramar Circle experienced water logging causing the vehicular traffic to run at a snail’s pace.
The State is experiencing extremely heavy rainfall, the onset of a receding monsoon. Incessant rainfall since early morning has led to major waterlogging in several areas with traffic congestion across Goa.
The India Meteorological Department (Goa) has put Goa on Red Alert today with an Orange alert tomorrow. Winds gusting up to 40-50 km/h are also expected across North and South Goa districts.
The Panaji Bus Stand and surrounding areas including Porvorim where the flyover works are currently underway, have been affected, with water pooling in the streets.
South Goa also reported water logging at the entrance of the South Goa District Hospital in Fatorda. Residents faced difficulties navigating the flooded streets as the heavy rains continued to disrupt daily activities.
Authorities have advised people to take precautions such as avoiding open areas, tall trees and weak structures, and to refrain from using electrical appliances during the storm.
As of today, various rain gauge stations reported significant rainfall, with Ponda receiving particularly heavy amounts. The intense showers were also noted in Sankhalim, Mapusa, and throughout South Goa.
The city’s arterial roads, especially the 18th June road, were inundated, causing diversion of traffic and water entering shops, establishments, and hotels along the perimeter of the road.
Water also entered houses in low-lying areas of Mala, Panaji, which has been prone to flooding over the years. Social media was abuzz with pictures of flooding across Panaji.
Almost all parts of the city received heavy rainfall in equal proportions throughout the day. The locals were seen complaining about the various works, which were kept incomplete, resulting in waterlogging.
The road stretch from Miramar to Dona Paula, the interior roads at Taleigao, Shankarwadi, and Caranzalem faced inundation, causing severe hardship to the commuters.
Not just Panaji, rains wreaked havoc in the entire state with complaints of trees being uprooted and flooding in various parts.
According to sources, water in most rivers, including the non-perennial rivulets, which have started to flow only recently, has swelled and run on its brinks.
Interestingly, undeterred by the early morning and school starting time heavy spell, according to sources, all educational institutions in the taluka also had normal attendances.
