MARGAO: Continuous rain accompanied by strong winds wreaked havoc in Salcete on Friday, leading to the collapse of two houses and a hut, and the uprooting of ten trees. This has severely disrupted normal life and paralysed traffic on several roads.
According to Gil Souza, the Station Fire Officer (FSO) in Margao, an old house behind the Holy Spirit Church near a private hospital at Old Market collapsed due to the heavy rains. Fortunately, no one was injured, though the estimated loss is yet to be determined. The duty crew inspected the site and instructed the clearance of the debris using an earth mover.
A coconut and mango tree fell on a hut at Paldem-Curtorim, causing damage to property and loss of Rs 20,000. Firefighters, along with Souza, visited the location to clear the mud and debris.
In another incident, a coconut tree fell on a house near the petrol pump at Navelim, resulting in damages worth Rs 5,000. Firefighters managed to save property worth Rs 50,000.
Due to strong winds, a coconut tree broke and rested precariously on a banyan tree, threatening to fall on a house near a society in Colva’s Ward II.
A neem tree fell on the road near the WRD office at Gogol-Margao, which was cleared within two hours. Additionally, a jungle tree fell on the road near Raghavendra Swamy Mutt at Moti Dongor, causing damage. Another jungle tree fell on the road near Cavelossim Church on Mobor Road, which was cleared by firefighters within three hours to ensure smooth traffic flow.
A huge tree also obstructed traffic to the old Chowgule College at Vidyanagar, and another jungle tree blocked traffic near Colony Lane, Mandopa. Firefighters promptly responded to these incidents, ensuring the areas were cleared for traffic within an hour.
On Thursday, a retaining wall collapsed due to heavy rain, causing a huge tree to fall on the Rayesh Chamber building at Marlem-Borda, Margao. According to Souza, a duty crew was immediately engaged in clearing the tree.
In another incident, firefighters cleared a tree that had fallen on the road near Luin Super Market at Betalbatim, which was cleared in a one-hour operation. Additionally, a tree fell on the PWD Office near Junta Quarters at Moti Dongor, which was cleared by a team of firefighters.
A tree fell on the road near St Joseph School at Vidyanagar, Aquem, while a jungle tree fell on the road at Ramnagari, Margao. Both were cleared by firemen, to enable the flow of traffic.