the goan I network
BICHOLIM
About 10 houses are reported to have been damaged and several trees were uprooted, as heavy rains had lashed Bicholim taluka since Wednesday.
Water levels at the Valvanti and Bicholim rivers had also risen sharply. The rising water levels prompted WRD officials to use the pumps to release excess water into the river to prevent flooding of the Sakhali market area.
While 10 houses are reported to have been damaged 18 trees were uprooted in different parts of Bicholim taluka, Bicholim Mamledar Pravinjay Pandit along with WRD Engineer K P Naik inspected different sites in the taluka and Pandit claimed that while water levels had risen, the situation was under control.
The Bicholim fire services were working overtime to clear the uprooted trees in the taluka. All talathis have been instructed to prepare a detailed survey and to submit a report of damages to property.
WRD engineer K P Naik said water level at the Amthane Dam had risen to 47.7 metres, while another engineer informed that water level at the Anjunem dam has risen to 77.5 5 metres.
A huge tree got uprooted and was leaning on an electricity pole at Warchawada in Advalpal, endangering occupants of an adjacent house. The electricity department later disconnected power supply in the area to enable a fire brigade to clear the tree.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who is in New Delhi, has directed the disaster management teams to keep close watch on the situation in the State.
He has also directed the Bicholim mamledar to keep watch on water levels in Bicholim taluka and other areas.
Speaker and Bicholim MLA Rajesh Patnekar also visited different sites to take stock of the situation.
