MAPUSA
A brief spell of intense rain accompanied by lightning, thunder and gusty winds threw normal life out of gear in Mapusa and other parts of Bardez on Friday afternoon, triggering multiple tree falls, waterlogging and power disruptions.
The Mapusa Fire and Emergency Services received at least 15 calls reporting fallen trees at various locations across Bardez following the sudden bout of unseasonal weather.
In Mapusa, several road stretches witnessed a brief spell of flooding as choked drains overflowed and rainwater spilled onto the roads. The waterlogging, though short-lived, disrupted the normal flow of traffic and highlighted the recurring problem of inadequate drainage during sudden downpours.
The gusty winds also brought down trees onto electricity lines, disrupting power supply in several parts of Mapusa and other areas of Bardez. The extent of the damage and the duration of the power outages were not immediately known.
The intense spell lasted around 15 minutes but was sufficient to cause disruption across the coastal taluka. Fortunately, no loss of life or damage to property was reported from any part of Bardez.
The sudden downpour, accompanied by strong winds, thunder and lightning, came as an unseasonal weather event, catching residents and commuters off guard.
The sudden spell has once again drawn attention to the vulnerability of Mapusa’s roads to waterlogging when drains fail to carry away rainwater quickly, even during a short burst of heavy rain. The IMD had also issued a nowcast warning on Friday for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph at a few places across North Goa.
