MARGAO
The Tolleaband-Pedda area of Benaulim village gave anxious moments for the authorities and the villagers as the low-lying areas were submerged under water, with water entering the residential houses on the bandh as well as the opposite side of the hutments.
The police moved in on Friday evening to close the Khareband-Tolleaband road after a major stretch was completely submerged under water, only raising demands from the villagers for the construction of the western bypass on stilts.
Petitioner in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) Royla said that nature has given a mild warning to Goa’s disaster management team to plan to save Benaulim, while Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas was at the Tolleaband site as the water level rose dangerously since morning.
Deputy Collector Margao Uday Prabhudesai informed that the situation was a matter of concern, but hastened to add that the residents inhabiting Tolleaband have declined a move to a safer place.
“Nature gives a mild warning to Goa’s disaster management team to make a plan to save Benaulim. After my appeal to the NGT and High Court to intervene and give prime importance to the environment, human life, and sustainable development by designing stilts in Benaulim was overlooked by lawmakers and justice providers, nature has decided to give them a demo of its wrath. I pray they see the warning and take the right call,” she said, adding “God bless them all with wisdom to protect humanity.”
Large tracts of low-lying areas at Tolleaband, where the villagers and farmers have been demanding construction of the bypass on stilts were submerged under flood water. The Tolleaband-Pedda road was submerged under water, perhaps the first time in half a decade, prompting the police to erect barricades to stop vehicular traffic as a precautionary measure.
The Benaulim MLA pointed out that the flooding of the Tolleaband-Pedda area should at least open the eyes of the government and the authorities to build the bypass on stilts.
He said the floods have affected the marooned families staying on the Tolleaband, besides families staying in the immediate neighbourhood.
Meanwhile, large tracts of agricultural fields submerged under water in neighbouring Seraulim during the last two days. Residents pointed out that the water has been coming back instead of moving towards Benaulim, as a result of which cultivated fields near the church witnessed flooding.
