MAPUSA/BICHOLIM: Rain accompanied by a thunderstorm and a vicious squall caused havoc in north Goa on Monday, especially Bardez and Bicholim talukas, uprooting trees on power lines and some houses on Monday.
Normal life was disrupted in these areas as the crashing trees and branches blocked roads in Khorlim, Dattawadi, Dangui colony, Duler and Karaswado in Mapusa, Tivim, Revora,
Colvale, Quitula in
Aldona, Siolim and Sodiem.
Fire services personnel had a tough job on hand, as they received 82 calls in Bardez, eight in Pernem and 25 in Bicholim taluka. "There were no calls reporting major damage and no loss of life. Mostly trees fell on roads, vehicles, electrical lines and a few houses," an official from fire and emergency services said. By evening, most calls had been attended to, but there was a lot of damage while traffic jams were witnessed in Duler, Sirsaim, Colvale, Pirna and some other areas due to uprooting of trees.
Parts of Mapusa and Aldona suffered power outages. Electricity was cut off in Mapusa at around 3pm, only to return after 9pm. Firemen had their hands full clearing the trees for restoration of power.
Citizens of Pernem and Dhargalim were surprised by a hail storm. In Bicholim, the thunderstorm whipped up a squall, uprooting trees on to power lines and some houses, even as the fire services estimated a loss of around Rs 8 to 10 lakh.
Traffic was halted for nearly an hour on the Bicholim-Sakhali road, as trees fell at various points. After the trees were cleared, movement of traffic was slow for some time. Firemen faced a major task in clearing the debris.
Bicholim mamlatdar Pravinvijay Pandit directed the talathis of respective panchayats to conduct a panchanama and submit a detailed report. The squall affected areas in Bicholim town, Sakhali, Amona, Virdi, Advalpale, Cudchirem, Sal, Maulingem, Mayem, Mulgao and adjoining areas, damaging government property and houses.
Many houses in Virdi and Nanora were damaged due to trees uprooting. At Dhumacem a giant tree fell on a truck loaded with
laterite stone causing a major loss. Plantations in rural areas also badly hit causing substantial losses to farmers. Bicholim station fire officer Shripad Gawas said a team of around 25-30 firemen carried out rescue operations.
