MARGAO
Incessant rains throughout Sunday disrupted normal life at many places in and around Margao, even as River Sal has been flowing in full spate for the last couple of days, inundating the flood plains right from Seraulim, Mungul and Benaulim.
Traffic was thrown out of gear at the entry points to the commercial capital at Arlem, Gogol and Rawanfond, with water-logging disrupting movement of traffic since morning.
Arlem Junction resembled a flooded river with the important road submerged in flood water on Sunday morning. Vehicular traffic moved at snail’s pace with flood waters inundating the road.
The situation was no better at Rawanfond junction at Shantinagar. A good part of the road heading towards Shantinagar was submerged on Sunday morning, disrupting vehicular traffic. Two-wheelers also avoided using the road since the road is dotted with huge craters in the last few days.
Gogol Junction near the Bolshe Circle was also found water logged on Sunday morning. Vehicular movement almost screeched to a halt along the busy road to the Eastern bypass.
Water logging was also seen at various spots in the commercial capital as well. As usual, the old railway station road was submerged in water, disrupting vehicular traffic.
River Sal was flowing in full spate on Sunday along the Seraulim-Benaulim stretch. Vast tracts of low lying areas along the river course were submerged as the overflowing river inundated the flood plains.
In fact, one could not make out the river course near the Khareband bridge on Sunday afternoon as it overflowed in full fury. The Tolleaband lake, Benaulim, which will play host to the controversial 2.75 km balance stretch of the western bypass, was also filled to the brim with water.
The fire brigade, Margao informed about two incidents of trees uprooting and crashing down at Benaulim, damaging conductors.
Canacona struggles under water;
rivers flow close to danger mark
CANACONA: Heavy rains lashed Canacona on Sunday flooding low lying areas and all rivulets overflowing and three major rivers nearing the danger mark.
Taluka observatory recorded 101.06, mm of rainfall till 6 pm (from Sat midnight) as the seasonal rains breached the 2000 mm mark recording seasonal total at 2071.76 mm. The Chapoli Dam considered lifeline of Canconcars is also nearing to its capacity of 38.75 Mtrs RL, while it read 37.57 Mtrs RL on Sunday evening.
The taluka has received 41.4 mm rainfall in 24 hours as of Saturday midnight.
The rivers Talpona, Galgibaga and Saleri were seen violently flowing and according to WRD sources floodwater was seen dangerously rising in Talpona and Galgibaga rivers.
A close watch is being kept on Talpona and Galgibaga rivers which caused huge devastation in flash floods in October 2009.
Agonda River was overflowing deluging the cultivation of paddy crop.
Many of the re-planted paddy nurseries have reportedly been washed away, while the ongoing nursery re-plantation had to be abandoned for the day.
Similar situations were witnessed in the paddy fields undergoing cultivation on the other river banks at River Saleri, and the upper portions of rivers Galgibaga and Talpona, particularly in villages of Gaondongrim, Poinguinim, Polem, Loliem and Cotigao.
Pounding rains inundate roads in Mapusa
Mapusa Municipal Council Chairperson Shubanghi Vaigankar along with local councilor Prakash Bhivshet inspecting overflowing drains in Gaunsavaddo, Mapusa on Sunday.
MAPUSA: As relentless rain pummeled the State on Sunday, several areas in Mapusa witnessed water-logging while part of a wall of the old municipality building whose demolition was in progress crashed on the adjacent building late last night.
Several areas in Khorlim and Gaunsavaddo were water-logged as rains continued to pound the State non-stop.
The main road near the Usapkar tea point witnessed knee-deep water while several areas in Gaunsavaddo also experienced water-logging.
Despite the pouring rain, local councilor, Prakash Bhivshet was seen moving in the ward to undo the damage caused by the gushing water.
Chairperson, Shubanghi Vaigankar also moved around Gaunsavaddo to take stock of the situation caused by the pouring rain.
A main drain across a road in the ward was cut open to clear the chocked passage to make way for the massive flow of water.
“This drain was not cleared for almost two decades. The chocked up drain is clear testimony to the fact,” a local said.
Part of a wall of the old municipality building which was being demolished fell on the adjacent building belonging to ‘Aurora Printers’ late last night.
Sources said the collapse of the wall has caused extensive damage to owners of the ‘Aurora Printers’.
