MAPUSA
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday stated that the unprecedented rainfall led to flooding at several places across the State causing damage to more than 700 houses and loss of over crores of rupees, even as a woman is suspected to have died from drowning.
He said the majorly affected talukas were Sattari, Bicholim, Ponda, Dharbandora, Bardez and Pernem.
“In many areas water has entered the houses causing tremendous inconvenience and loss to people. Several mud houses have been damaged and some have collapsed. We have not estimated the loss yet but it will be in crores,” Sawant said.
“One woman is suspected to have drowned in the floods but we are awaiting the details,” he added.
The chief minister informed that such flood-like situation was last witnessed in the State more than three decades back, in 1982, but this time the intensity was severe.
“At least 10 to 12 houses in Pilgoa village in Bicholim are disconnected from the main-land while the entire Usgao bazar has been flooded. I have never seen so much flood water inundating so many places in the State,” he said.
He informed that evacuee boats and helicopter service was used to rescue people in Dharbandora.
He further disclosed that all those who have been evacuated have been accommodated in government schools and the deputy collector and the disaster management team would look after the food and their other needs.
“It’s a big loss. We will reach out to people in need. The government will provide financial aid to those who have suffered loss in the floods,” the CM said.
He also appealed to the NGOs to chip in and provide necessary assistance to those in dire needs.
Deputy Chief Minister, Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar informed that the floods have caused immense damage to crops.
“Over 832 hectares of agricultural land has been affected causing an estimated loss of around Rs 2.55 crores,” Kavlekar informed.
