MARGAO
Colva on Thursday became the second village along the Salcete coast to host a cyclone preparedness drill with the participation of the fishing community as well as the representatives of the Navy, fire brigade and officials of the South Goa District Disaster Management Cell.
An initiative of Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas, the drill was conducted early Thursday, wherein the fishermen joined hands to pull a fishing boat from the shore to a designated area on the land.
The Naval personnel also explained to the fishermen life-saving techniques in times of emergency.
Fishermen from Colva - Thomas Rodrigues, Dom Rod and Gepsie - complimented the MLA for the initiative, saying the exercise will go a long way in cyclone preparedness.
Venzy later told the media that this is the second successive joint exercise carried out by the various authorities in coordination with the local fishermen of Benaulim and Colva.
“We have a traditional fishing ward in Colva, where all the canoes, nets and equipment are stacked in the ward. In times of emergency, we have to shift the equipment to a safe location”, he said.
He added: “Based on these two exercises, entire Goa will now get a feel of how to conduct disaster management plan. When the government prepares a plan, Benaulim and Colva will be on the manual of the disaster plan of Goa”, he added.
