OLD GOA
The heavy downpour last night, early morning and afternoon on Thursday battered Old Goa and damaged the pandal installed outside the Basilica of Bom Jesus.
The rains also dampened the grounds inside the pandal, which forced church authorities to celebrate early morning masses inside the Basilica, which were later shifted inside the pandal as the conditions improved.
However, in the afternoon, the rains returned and Masses had to be celebrated inside the Basilica.
Speaking to reporters, Basilica Rector Fr Patricio Fernandes said they had experienced a similar problem 10 years back due to the rains, after which metal sheets were used to cover part of the pandal, but not the entire pandal because the heat was unbearable.
“For that reason, we installed the helicopter fans to give relief to the devotees. However, this year, the rainwater has entered the fans and it is a calamity.”
“So, because of the rains, we have learnt our lessons and we are in a better position to be ready for any eventuality in the future,” Fr Fernandes said and stated that the area in front of the main stage needs to be raised so that water does not get accumulated there in case of rains.
He further informed that the sudden downpour forced them to shift two early morning Masses inside the Basilica.
“However, there was too much crowding inside due to which we then decided to hold the 8 am Mass inside the pandal,” he added.
Later, in the afternoon the rains returned and Masses were yet again shifted inside the church.
On the damage caused, Fr Fernandes informed that rainwater had entered the helicopter fans and it is not known how much damage is done.
“Also, water has entered the four giant screens which were installed in the pandal with no metal sheet protection,” he added.
