PERNEM
According to sources, the Baillapar river was flowing with full force due to the heavy rains. The main road at Chandel was submerged, leaving the vehicles stranded on both sides of the road. Telecommunications were also disrupted as BSNL landlines went out of order, while there is no network coverage for other service providers. The Chandel village was cut off from other villages, while fields and roads were submerged, due to which no government machinery could reach the village for rescue operations. Locals from neighbouring villages then went to the rescue of the Chandel villagers. The farmers have feared heavy loss to their crops after their fields and plantations were submerged. Sources further informed that the water level decreased on Tuesday morning and transportation resumed along the main road. Sunil Naik of Chandel said the roads started flooding at about 2 pm and by 9.30 pm, many parts of the village were submerged. “I am disappointed with the government officials for not helping the village during this emergency,” he added. Another resident Sunil Naik said such a situation had occurred in the village after 5 years. “Many villagers assisted those in distress and shifted them to safety,” added Naik. When contacted, Pernem Mamlatdar Rajesh Azgaonkar said no one had informed him about the floods. “But I immediately sent the talathi concerned to the village to take stock of the situation,” he added. When contacted, the Pernem fire station officials said no one had contacted them about the floods.
