120 evacuated in Salcete

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2008-08-11
MARGAO - Heavy rains accompanied by winds created havoc in South Goa district on Sunday rising the water level of Selaulim dam. The rainwater flooded out some 120 people from their dwelling units in Salcete taluka and submerged several low-lying areas of the district.
Three members of a family got injured at Curchorem after the roof of a house belonging to Mr Uttam Sanvordekar caved in late Saturday night. Mr Sanvordekar sustained head injuries and is undergoing treatment at Hospicio Hospital, Margao, while his son, Mr Sohan and sister-in law, Ms Usha sustained minor injuries are undergoing treatment at the Curchorem primary health centre.
The police informed that over 120 people were flooded out of their dwelling units and district administration shifted them to safer places. These 120 persons have been evacuated from their huts located at Beanaulim, Margao and other villages of Salcete taluka. They have been sheltered in the Fatorda stadium and relief material has given to them.
The South Goa district magistrate, Mr G P Naik informed that water level of Selaulim dam has risen and that the administration is on the alert and is awaiting report from the water resources department. He said that if the water level continues to rise, then the catchment area of the dam might get submerged. He said the administration is ready with notification directing evacuation of the people if the situation worsens. Paroda was cut off from other parts of Quepem taluka after water submerged the road. The water entered several houses in the area. However, there was no reports of any injury or damage from the taluka.
The traffic passing through Paroda was diverted via Chandor.
The low-lying areas of Mungul, Khareband, Benaulim have also been submerged. The district magistrate visited the area to take stock of the situation. He said that nobody has been evacuated so far.
Mr Naik informed that water entered 12 houses in South Goa, while landslides were also reported at Mulas in Paroda. Also part of the now-defunct Rashtramat office collapsed due to heavy rains. Nobody injured in the incident.
The district magistrate informed that the exact damages caused by the rains are yet to be ascertained as the administration has been working to provide relief to those affected by the rains.
Fire brigade personnel and electricity department workers were also kept on their toes as over 18 trees got uprooted effecting power supply at several places. The power supply at Navelim was affected for several hours as a tree fell on the power lines damaging several electrical poles. The power was restored in the afternoon.
Mr Naik further informed that work to restore the damaged portion of the highway at Mollem is in full-swing and heavy machinery and 60 trucks have been pressed into service. He said that if required the number of trucks will be increased to 100 and the route would likely be restored by Monday.
A truck driver and cleaner had a miraculous escape after the truck turned turtle in Sanguem as the driver could not keep track of the flooded road. As a result the truck went off the road and turned turtle. Both the driver and the cleaner managed to find their way out of the truck.