the goan I network
VASCO
According to Vasco Fire Station Officer Deelip Bicholkar, he along with six fire personnel rushed to the site, which is about 500 metres from the Vasco fire station after they received a call at about 3.30 am informing that water entered the flat belonging to Sandeep Chodankar. “The entire area was flooded with water that was gushing from the main PWD water pipeline. We tried to open the door of the flat, which is on the ground floor, but could not do so due to the water pressure,” said Bicholkar.
“We however managed to rescue four family members including an elderly woman through the window and later dug a hole in the compound wall and drained the water into the nearby nullah,” he added.
“We contacted the PWD officials and the officials from the electricity department. The electricity department officials disconnected the power supply, while the PWD officials managed to bring down the water pressure,” said Bicholkar.
Bicholkar informed that some electronic and electrical items besides household items were damaged.
When contacted, PWD assistant engineer A E Bhende, who at the time of incident at Canacona on election duty, rushed to the site when he got the information.
Bhende said it is the main old 400 mm diameter PWD water pipeline supplying water from Opa to Vasco. “When we inspected the pipeline, we found a crack due to which water started gushing out and to stop the flow we had to stop the main supply at Verna and later close the valve which is along the four lane highway at Dabolim,” said Bhende.
“The pipe might have been damaged while constructing the new bridge near Pai Nursing Home, due to which the crack is developed. We will find some solution to repair the pipeline to provide water to the citizens of Vasco as portion is under the concrete,” added Bhande.
“We could not immediately carry out the repairs, as we were on election duty, but we will try and restore normal water supply by Monday,” assured Bhende.
