PANJIM: The heavy downpour accompanied by gusty winds continued to wreak havoc in the State throwing normal life out of gear on Saturday.
Many low lying areas were submerged while there were reports of landslides at few places across the state. A huge tree fell on a vehicle belonging to the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) on the Dona Paula-Miramar Road.
Huge tracts of paddy fields which were on the verge of being harvested were battered and destroyed by the rains adding to the woes of farmers whose fields were destroyed due to flooding in June.
There were incidents of trees falling at Vasco and Mapusa.
An elderly woman, Anita Parab, from Rumdawada Sada in Vasco had a narrow escape yesterday after a portion of a house came down after there was a landslide in the area. The roof sills collapsed, and the house was flooded with rain water.
Also, Saifullah Sheikh’s house on the hilltop bore the brunt of the landslide, causing significant damages. Local councillor Damodar Naik rushed to the spot to extend support to the affected families. He announced that temporary accommodations would be provided at the shelter home in Sancoale for the affected residents.
Mormugao’s Mamlatdar Pravinjay Pandit, and Chairperson Girish Borkar rushed to the scene to assess the situation. Pandit assured that a survey would be conducted to assess the risk and residents would be shifted to a safer place.
The landslide at Rumdawada has not only affected homes but also posed a threat to some residences in the area. Councillor Damodar Naik highlighted the need for the construction of protective walls and pointed to the approval of a proposal sent by former minister Milind Naik for such structures. He urged Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar to pursue the matter to ensure the safety of residents in vulnerable areas.
Meanwhile, a large tree on the Maimolem-Vasco road fell onto power lines, causing widespread power outages. However, no casualties were reported.
A minor landslide was reported in Mapusa along the National Highway 66 near the Bandekar Petrol Pump at Karaswada.
Motorists plying on Morjim and Chopdem village faced a nightmare as the road was submerged due the rains.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Goa, issued a red alert for the State on September 30 and an orange alert for October 1.
The alert was issued in view of formation of a depression over the East Central Arabian Sea, off the south Konkan-Goa coast.
The incessant rains forced the fire service personnel to be on toes to mitigate the havoc caused due to the rain fury.
In the capital city of Panjim, traffic continued to move at snail's pace at most of the roads, giving traffic cops a tough time.
Roads were submerged at many places and low lying areas were flooded near the capital city.
According to the IMD, Altinho, Mapusa received 5 inches of rainfall, Pernem 3.8 inches, Ponda 4.2 inches, Panaji 3.5 inches, Old Goa 4.2 inches, Sanquelim 3 inches, Canacona 4 inches, Dabolim 3.3 inches, Margao 4.3 inches, Mormugao 2.8 inches, Quepem 3.9 inches and Sanguem 3.7 inches of rainfall during the last 24 hours reported at 8:30 am of September 30.