Heavy rains submerge Paroda-Quepem road, Avedem bridge; traffic diverted

the goan I networkrQUEPEM r rThe bridge connecting Avedem was also flooded, making it almost impossible for people and motorists to cross over to the other side. A large number of office-goers, school and college students were badly affected by the flooded bridge. rAccording to sources, heavy rains since Thursday increased the water level of Khushavati river at Paroda-Quepem, resulting in flooding of the entire area on Friday morning. rSources informed that traffic was blocked from Paroda-Quepem to Margao and the transport was diverted from Quepem to Margao via Chandor. rResidents of Paroda said they face the problem every year. Most of the people from main market at Paroda, Mulsa Parvat and some parts of Gudi are fully dependent on this road. rOn the other side, there is Khushavati river bridge connecting the Avedem area, which was also submerged. Residents of this area have been demanding increase in height for the bridge since many years and hoped that the government would find a permanent solution to the issue. rIn 2012, when the BJP government was in power, Manohar Parrikar along with other leaders had visited the site and had given an assurance to find a solution to the issue. But till date, no action has been taken and the bridge lies in the same condition. rrInundation throws rMargao-Quepem traffic off gearrMARGAO: Traffic on the Margao-Quepem road was disrupted on Friday following the inundation of the road at Paroda village. With the river flowing in full spate, submerging the bridge at Paroda, traffic officials move in to divert the Margao-Quepem traffic via Chandor at around 8.30 in the morning. rBuses carrying school students to Guddi-Paroda from Margao were made to alight at the Gudi junction before the buses proceeded towards Chandor. It was only in the evening that traffic was restored on the main road after the flood water receded, facilitating movement of traffic on the busy road. rElsewhere, strong gusty winds uprooted trees and damaged plantations in and around the Chinchinim-Dramapur belt, Thursday night.