the goan I network
MAPUSA
Stating that incessant rains have flooded low-lying areas displacing families and affecting farmlands in the State, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday told the Goa Legislative Assembly that his government would approach the Centre for relief.
In the meantime, the chief minister appealed to all citizens and industrialists to come forward and help those in distress.
He said no lives have been lost so far but flood waters have affected many people and cultivation has been affected in the entire State but expected the situation to come under control in the next three days.
He also said that deputy collectors have been directed to do a survey and access damage to life and property in Goa.
“In one-and-half month, Goa has received 163mm of rainfall which is 25 percent extra for the period. Almost 100 families have been shifted from Tivim constituency. Besides, all 25 families in Rannaichem-Zuvem were shifted making it 100 percent evacuation from the village. A family who were taking shelter on the first floor of their bungalow in that ward had to be rescued on Thursday morning as flood waters rose up to the first floor and continued to rise in the village,” Sawant said.
He said Sal area in Bicholim, Ibrampur in Pernem and Revora and Camurlim in Bardez have been affected the most.
The chief minister was responding to concerns raised by Pernem MLA Dayanand Sopte and Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte during the Zero Hour over the alarming rise in water and flooding in several areas in the State.
Several members of the House cutting across party lines expressed concern over the onslaught of nature on the State.
Continuing, Sawant said a lot of houses and vehicles were under water even as water level in Chapora River has increased tremendously.
He said several people have been evacuated and housed in relief centres.
“I am personally monitoring the situation and instructions have been issued to all the concerned officials to do the needful,” he said, applauding officials from different departments who have been on their toes trying to provide succour to the affected people.
Sawant said the government will provide immediate financial assistance to the needy through the Chief Minister’s Fund but appealed to everyone to come forward and donate.
“We want all citizens, MLAs and industrialists through CSR activity to come forward and help our people in the hour of need,” he said.
Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo donated his three month’s salary to the CM’s Fund and appealed to his other colleagues to do so.
“We need to contribute to the Chief Minister’s Fund. I am donating Rs 5 lakh, my three month’s salary to the fund and request other MLAs to do so,” Lobo said.
Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat said the incessant rains have disrupted people’s lives and caused severe damage to road and other infrastructure.
“The government should engage a team to do a survey of entire Goa with proper documented photographs and appeal to the Centre for a relief package,” Kamat said.
Congress MLAs Luizinho Faleiro, Pratapsingh Rane and Ravi Naik, BJP MLA Glenn Ticlo and NCP MLA Churchill Alemao also spoke.
Goan along with car washed
away in Karnataka
MAPUSA: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant informed the Legislative Assembly that a person from Caranzalem got washed away along with his car at Jamboti in Karnataka.
He said as per the information received the person was driving the car through a flooded street.
“We have alerted the Karnataka Police and Goa government is constantly in touch with their counterparts in Karnataka,” Sawant said.
The chief minister has cautioned people not to drive vehicles through flooded roads.
Stop spreading false messages: CM
MAPUSA: Warning those who have been spreading false messages on the social media, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said police have been directed to track the mischief makers.
“Unnecessary panic is being created by sending false messages. Police have been asked to track the origin of the message and take action,” Sawant said.
He said several false messages about a crack developed on a bridge and holiday to schools have been doing the rounds at a time when the State was witnessing incessant rains.
“Please do not spread rumours which are creating panic and thereby affecting the people,” he said.
