MAPUSA
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said the devastation brought about by Cyclone Tauktae caused maximum damage to power infra and recalibrated the total loss to the State at Rs 40 crore.
He said over 135 houses have been damaged in Bardez while assuring to provide immediate compensation to those affected.
“The cyclone has caused major loss to electricity. The estimated loss will not be Rs 22 crore, it may go up to Rs 35 to Rs 40 crore. Our aim is to restore power as early as possible. It may take another two days to restore normalcy in the State,” Sawant said.
The chief minister was addressing the media after holding a review with the officials over the impact of Tauktae in Bardez. Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza was also present.
Additional collector, Mahadev Arondekar, Deputy Collector Veera Naik, Mapusa Electricity AE, Norman Athaide, Mapusa Fire Officer, Bosco Ferrao and officials of PWD and other departments were also present.
Continuing, Sawant said the Bardez deputy collector has been directed to release compensation through the disaster management funds to those families whose houses were damaged in the cyclone.
“More than 135 houses have been damaged in Bardez. All the affected families will get financial help through the disaster management fund. If anyone has failed to give their names they can do so through their talathis,” he said.
Cyclone Tauktae that ripped through the coastal State on Sunday left a trail of disaster uprooting trees, bringing down electricity poles and snapping power lines bringing life to a standstill.
While power was restored in most parts of the State, many areas in Bardez were yet to get supply even on the fourth day.
The CM said he was aware that power was yet to be restored to a lot of people in Bardez and assured that supply would be restored on Wednesday evening or latest by Thursday.
“We don’t have that requisite manpower, therefore have to hire the force from other states. Very few Goans can erect or climb electricity poles. We have brought the workers from other states and work is currently on,” he said.
He complimented the staff of the fire brigade and police departments who have worked very hard on the field in the last three days to restore normalcy in the State after the devastating cyclone.
He further said that the disaster management team, panchayats and municipalities have also put in a lot of effort to restore normalcy.
Govt announces compensation of Rs 4 lakh to victims’ families
PANAJI: The State Government has announced a compensation of Rs four lakh to the families of those who lost their lives during cyclone Tauktae. Of the three lives claimed by Tauktae in Goa, the authorities have already handed over the compensation order to the mother of deceased Malu Patil, a 34-year-old woman who died at Anjuna after a coconut tree fell on her.
