the goan I network
CANACONA
Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes stated that it was unfortunate that the fire brigade was the only tool of Canacona Disaster Management, while there were no signs of Taluka Disaster Management Authority even as residents stood on guard throughout Saturday night when fears of floods loomed large over Cotigao and residential areas along river Talpona.
In an exclusive talk with The Goan, Fernandes blamed the authorities for not being alert and prepared in spite of all the talks done post 2009 Canacona floods.
Fernandes blamed the irrigation department for failing to maintain the bhandaras. "There was heavy rain for about two-and-half hours late Saturday evening and to add to the chaos, the uncleaned and choked bhandaras contributed to the miseries which Cotigao farmers had to go through that fateful night," said the MLA.
He also called for making public the 2009 Canacona floods report prepared by NIO.
"The choked up Bhandaras are often cited as the main reason for many floods in these areas, where blocked water suddenly flushes out taking different directions from the rivers and entering inner land. There should have been a master plan to prevent these types of flash floods, but government did nothing for last several years," Fernandes charged.
Fernandes rued the unpreparedness of the authorities to meet up with any disaster eventualities. "On Saturday night, Canacona Mamlatdar Ramesh Gaonkar was one of the first to reach the flood site at Cotigao and also some policemen moved to the areas. It looked like fire brigade with some personnel were the only other tool for tackling disaster, but that too were the last to reach."
"It were the locals who stood alert and bravely faced the eventuality by remaining awake. There was no sign of Taluka Disaster Management Authority," said Fernandes.
