MAPUSA/PERNEM: The incessant downpour which continued to lash and batter the State on Friday continued to wreak havoc in Mapusa, Pernem and Carmurlim.
A minor landslide was reported in Mapusa along the National Highway 66 near the Bandekar petrol pump at Karaswada and a part of the hill that was cut to carry out highway expansion collapsed with the heavy showers with huge boulders rolling down. The incident occurred at 6.30 pm but fortunately no casualties were reported.
A team from Mapusa fire station immediately rushed to the spot and removed the boulders with the help of earth moving machinery.
Meanwhile, in Pernem an uprooted coconut tree fell across the road near the Dadeshwar Temple damaging electricity cables thus plunging the area in darkness. The main road was blocked was hours and traffic was diverted from Poroscodem.
The Pernem fire station team rushed to the site and cleared area. Luckily no casualty or injuries were reported.
In Camurlim, daily commuters coming by ferry from Tuem had a tough time on Friday, after the ramp on the Camurlim side was submerged as the water level began to rise. Commuters had to wade through knee-deep water to get off the ferry. Several motorists had serious problems as salt water damaged the engines of the vehicles.
Riding on the road in Morjim and Chopdem turned into a nightmare for motorists. The lack of maintenance of gutters led to the roads getting waterlogged in many places here.
Roads at Madhlawada at Chopdem and near Milagres Church area at Khind, Narojiwada were the worst affected. With PWD officials turning a blind eye to the situation, agitated locals have claimed that many scooter riders are suffering from back related problems due to potholes, which can’t be seen due to submerged roads.
They said that while traffic police were over active e when it comes to penalising tourists for breaking the law, they failed to guide locals about the bad roads.