MARGAO: A 56-year-old woman, Florina D’Souza, a resident of Cotta, Fatorpa, is feared to have been washed away in the heavy flow of floodwaters while on the way to her fields at Naqueri, Betul on Wednesday morning.
Florina’s sister-in-law, Rosalina Simoes, 50, had also accompanied her but saved herself by holding onto a tree branch and managed to escape the water fury. She immediately ran to the nearby locality and informed the locals about the incident, even as the news spread in the village and surrounding areas.
According to the Cuncolim Police, Florina and Rosalina decided to go to the fields, situated about six kilometres from their house, to sow seeds. Florina, a widow, had been managing the agricultural work, including sowing seeds to eke out a living, said the police.
As they entered the fields, they encountered a massive water flow along their usual route. Florina waded through the stream, followed by Rosalina. However, Florina slipped and fell into the strong flow of water and was carried away. Rosalina cried for help, but there was nobody as the area being a secluded place.
Rosalina, later rushed to a nearby house and informed a family member about the incident and contacted the police.
Cuncolim PSI Kavita Rawat along with the staff and Cuncolim fire personnel rushed to the spot. They also sought additional reinforcements from Margao to trace Florina. Both the South Additional Collectors also visited the site and took stock of the search and rescue operations by the fire personnel, who used a boat. However, till late evening, the missing woman could not be traced. The police have now sought the navy’s help to trace Florina as search operations would resume on Thursday morning.