Gaurang Prabhu/ Goemkarponn
MARGAO:
It came and it went but alongwith it, it blew away several trees, electricity poles, house roofs, etc etc.
This has been the sordid tale of the Cyclone Tauktae which has left a trail of devastation all around the State.
When Goenkarponn visited the Salcete Coast it was noticed that huts of traditional fishermen was damaged badly.
Colva Panch member and a canoe owner Menino Fernandes said that the traditional fishermen have suffered a huge loss as the huts which they were storing dry fish and salt are totally damaged.
As Tauktae hit Salcete coast, people started prayers to the almighty to save them from this nature’s fury.
Local fisherman from Benaulim Pele says this is the worst kind of cyclone he has ever experienced, damaging lot of property causing a great loss.
“We should be thankful it did not do too much damage to human lives. Goa has been suffering too much due to the ongoing pandemic, and to add to the worst was this unbelievable cyclone,” he said.
The firemen were on toes for three days and still are restoring the damage done by this natural calamity.
The Gutsy winds and heavy rain brought down the electricity, connectivity networks and personal property, road blocks, trees uprooted all over the state.
Local hotelier Roy Barretto says this was as it is one of the worst tourism season and now this cyclone has caused immense damage.
“It is god’s way to make us learn from our mistakes and also thanks god for helping him to save his property on time. On a whole Goa is battling multiple battles but also recovering for the better,” he says.
Salcete Mamlatdar Prataprao Gaonkar said the total damage of private property in Salcete is nearly approximately 18 Lakhs.
“This includes only private property, we are yet to receive the loss of public property and agriculture damage. Our focus is on streamlining the lives and restore the electricity. The major areas effected are Margao and Cuncolim,” he says.
Public loss yet to be estimated
The Salscet Mamlatdar Pratapravo Gaonkar told Goenkarponn that he has till now received the private property loss and yet to receive the figures of public loss.
Salcete in dark for long time
The major damage of cyclone was caused to the electrical infrastructure and mobile network.
As a result the electricity is yet to be restored in many parts of the State.
Cellular companies stated that it would take weeks to normalise the network connections.
Major Loss to Agriculture
Paddy fields, coconut plantation, banana plantations has been badly hit Salcete
ZAO Mr Sheriff Furtado informed “till now we have estimated appropriately around 16 lakhs loss in Salcete.
Nuvem majorly unaffected
Nuvem Constituency had the distinction of being 100% underground cabling way back in 2010 – 2012 (except few areas of post delimitation) under the tenure of then power minister Shri Alexio Sequiera.
Power in Nuvem constituency was restored on day one of cyclone.