MARGAO
Overnight heavy rain and gusty winds left a trail of destruction around Salcete countryside, with the Margao fire brigade receiving around 43 emergency and rescue calls on Thursday.
Around four houses were left damaged after uprooted trees came down, while around 13-14 uprooted trees came crashing down on the road, disrupting vehicular traffic.
Traffic was disrupted on the NH66 between Dramapur and Chinchinim was disrupted for some time in the morning. Similarly, traffic on the Margao-Quepem road was disrupted at Paroda after uprooted trees landed on the main road.
The cyclonic winds also disrupted power supply on Thursday at some places. The village of Dramapur-Sirlim had to go without power supply throughout Thursday after a couple of electric poles were damaged by the strong winds.
Firemen attached to the Margao fire brigade were on their toes throughout Thursday. In fact, the Margao fire brigade phone did not stop ringing on Thursday, receiving as many as 43 emergency calls in the wake of the gusty winds that lashed Salcete coastal belt.
Fire Officer Gill D’Sa informed that around 4-5 calls were received from Margao alone, including the tree fall near the Costa ground, Aquem. He said the fire brigade had rushed to Dramapur-Sirlim area and found a couple of Akasia trees fallen on the road. “Of the 43 calls received by the Margao fire brigade, there were four incidents of trees coming down on residential houses. Fortunately, there were no incidents of casualty,” he said.
The fire officer pointed out that many incidents of tree fall had come from Salcete coastal belt, including Benaulim and Varca, adding that the fire brigade is on the job to clear the road blockades.
The fire men also rushed to Orlim village on Thursday evening after a huge road side tree developed a crack. The local Orlim panchayat body also got into action to ensure that the tree does not come down on the road.
