Water enters deep into Baga, Sinquerim beaches, causes massive soil erosion

the goan I network

MAPUSA  

The cyclonic storm in the Arabian Sea led to surge in waters early Friday morning along the popular Sinquerim-Calangute-Baga coastal belt even as incessant rains led to collapse of trees and disruption of power supply in several parts of Bardez.  

The cyclonic condition coupled with high tide led to waves lashing the shores in the early part of the morning even as sea water climbed deep inside the beach in Sinquerim and Baga leading to massive sand erosion.  

In Baga, the sea water made its way onto the beach at around 8 am and the receding sea water swallowed enormous amount of sand exposing the stone embankment on the beach.  

The waters also entered into some of the restaurants on the beach.  

“The water entered inside our restaurant between 8 am to 8.30 am but we were prepared for it as the warning of a cyclone was announced the previous night,” said some personnel working at the Fisherman’s Nook Sea Food Restaurant and Bar on Baga beach.  

The exposure of the concrete reinforcement of an electrical pole on the beach indicated the massive amount of sand erosion on the popular beach.  

“Before the water entered the beach today morning the concrete reinforcement of the electrical pole was covered with sand. Now, there is risk for the pole which could come down,” one of the restaurant’s personnel said.  

A resident of Calangute, Neville Proenca confirmed that soil erosion indeed took place on Friday morning but he also said that normalcy will be restored very soon.  

“The sand will come back. The nature works in its own way to repair and restore balance,” Proenca said to The Goan.  

In Sinquerim also the water entered deep inside the beach leading to massive sand erosion.  Several locals uploaded videos on the social media platforms of sea water making its way on to the beach in Sinquerim.  

Despite the rains and rough condition of the sea several domestic tourists made their way on to the Calangute and Baga beach.  

The skeletal lifeguards on the beach made frantic announcements requesting the tourists not to venture into the waters.   

The fluttering red flags on the beach warned tourists from swimming in the sea.  

Heavy rains 

disrupt life  

More than 45 trees were uprooted in Bardez due to heavy rains from midnight. Many tree branches were found fallen on streets and overhead electrical lines.  

Electrical poles were damaged, cutting off power supply in many places for hours until the department could take corrective measures and restore supply.  

However, no injuries have been reported after Friday’s rain due to the cyclonic condition.  

“At least 40 times the lights have come and gone in our area and it is going even now while I am talking to you,” said Owen Braganza, a resident of Assagao.  

Battered roads 

inconveniences 

motorists  

A lot of motorists and pedestrians were at the receiving end due to large potholes on most of the city roads. Since the potholes were filled with water the condition was worse as motorists particularly the two-wheelers could not predict the depth of the potholes.  

Motorists using the service roads along the NH17 (now NH66) were the most inconvenienced lot. The roads have been completely battered as large and dip potholes have developed in many areas along the thoroughfare.  

The stretch opposite the Central Jail in Colvale has been the most vicious as public buses were finding it very difficult to negotiate the road.