Goemkarponn desk
PONDA: Pondaitees have demanded that the government hold an enquiry to find out the causes of flash floods on July 23 and take preventive measures for the future.
Hundreds of houses were damaged and inundated in Ponda taluka. The general public had to face the flood fury.
Locals also demanded to desilt Ganjem and Dudhsagar rivers from Karnataka.
Usgao was worst hit with several houses damaged beside several homes fully damaged besides places of Khandepar, Savoiverem, Usgao Ganjem.
Hundreds of commuters were stranded in their respective villages during the flood situation as roads and highways were submerged underwater at Khandepar and Usgao.
According to Khandepar locals, the flood may be due to the release of dam water at various parts, including Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra, as river water flows from Ponda Taluka and finally meets in the Arabian Sea.
While some say the flood is also caused as river tributaries of Mhadei flowing from Ponda Taluka and Sattari Taluka are filled with silt, stones and sand and are not desilted,
Also, low-lying areas have seen heavy constructions activities.
The Ganjem people said the flood occurred as dead trees flown in the river are trapped at Bandaras leading to flood in Village.
The locals even demanded that henceforth there should be buffer zone should be maintained at riverside so that residential houses or buildings do not come in low lying areas or riverside fields that are catchment areas of the flood.
Prof. Namdev Naik said the government should find out the causes of flood provide early financial help to flood victims whose houses are damaged.
He said the government should take preventive measures so that in future, such incidents are not repeated.
