Nullah overflows, panic ensues: Ponda locals cry foul over poor drainage
Water enters homes, shops and temple; bhandaras breach; mud dumped in catchment areas obstruct water flow; residents blame lack of desilting
PONDA: Heavy rains once again caused the overflowing of the Ponda City Main nullah, also known as Kapilesharim Nullah, flooding fields and roads in downstream villages like Kavlem and Bandora. Sunday’s downpour highlighted the immediate need for preventive measures to avert future disasters.
Local residents, including Kisan Naik, attributed the flooding to the nullah not being cleaned regularly. “Encroachments and constructions in the nullah basin has worsened the situation. The government should protect agricultural fields downstream as they serve as essential catchment areas during floods, preventing residential areas from being inundated,” he said.
The breach of bandharas at Kavalem allowed water to enter some houses in Velop village. Locals noted that rainwater from upstream residential and commercial buildings drains into the nullah, exacerbating overflow during heavy rains. There are concerns about proposed infrastructure projects like the bypass road from Zareshwar Temple to Kapilesharim Underpass, potentially exacerbating downstream flooding. Residents fear these developments will compromise the area's natural drainage capacity, emphasising the need for careful planning and environmental consideration.
Despite the construction of a 15 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in the area, locals urge authorities to halt further construction in sensitive zones and clear encroachments along the Daag-Ponda nullah to effectively mitigate future flood risks.
The road in front of Shantadurga Temple in Kavlem was submerged under flood waters from the main Ponda nullah, inconveniencing tourists and locals. Residents pointed out that some shop owners had dumped mud in fields for shop extensions, blocking waterways beneath the Patto road and worsening flooding.
Further flooding affected roads near Kavlem Shantadurga Temple and Daag Ponda road, causing traffic disruptions. Houses along the nullah banks, including those of Mohan Kavlekar and Gokuldas Naik at Velop Kavale, experienced water ingress, while shops at Ponda Bus Stand also reported flooding. At Nagzar-Curti, the Mahadev temple partially submerged due to rising nullah levels, adding to the challenges faced by residents and temple visitors.
Meanwhile, flooding on Borim Highway at Sakhwar posed hardships for commuters. Locals stressed the urgent need to desilt culverts, establish proper drainage systems, and raise road heights to prevent annual flooding incidents during heavy rain
In 10 minutes, 80 trees come crashing down in Cortalim-Consua
VASCO: Nearly 80 trees were uprooted at Consua-Cortalim as rains accompanied by gusty winds lashed Consua-Cortalim on Sunday morning.
Residents experienced a harrowing cyclonic-storm-like situation as these trees were uprooted within a span of 10 minutes. The entire village was plunged into darkness due to falling trees and electricity wires, causing damage to some residential houses. However, no injuries or loss of life were reported, even as panicked residents ran to safety, with many villagers at church for Sunday mass.
Upon receiving the information, Cortalim MLA Anton Vas immediately rushed to Consua and directed fire and emergency services and the electricity department to clear the site and restore power supply to bring normalcy.
Vas noted that villagers were nervous and panicked since they had never experienced such widespread damage in the village in the past. Some villagers also attributed it to a change in the nature of rains.
The Cortalim MLA has asked the Mormugao Deputy to inspect dangerous trees and, if necessary, cut them and trim dangerously hanging branches. He also assured affected villagers that he would try to provide financial assistance and compensation from the government for the damages suffered. Meanwhile, incessant rains wreaked havoc in the port town on Sunday. Fire personnel were kept busy throughout the day with several emergency calls, including a landslide at Chicalim.
House wall gives way, occupants have lucky escape
VASCO: A wall of Kamlavati Ramkrishna Pednekar’s house collapsed at around 7 am in Orulem. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported in the incident.
Neighbour Shambu Palekar witnessed the collapse and alerted Ward Councillor and Mormugao Municipal Council Chairperson, Girish Borker, who arrived at the scene with fire services personnel, who estimated the damages at approximately Rs 70,000.