Cyclone Tauktae wreaks havoc in Goa, two dead, over 200 houses damaged

PANAJI: Two people were killed, scores injured and over 200 houses destroyed as tropical cyclone Tauktae passed by the Goa coast with fierce winds, heavy rain and gusts up to 100kmph, leaving a trail of devastation across the state.
Much of the state plunged into darkness, with chief minister Pramod Sawant saying it would take two days to restore power. Many parts of the state also lost mobile connectivity, and the cyclone also snapped telephone lines, disrupted flights and road and rail movement, as over 500 trees were uprooted blocking access to major parts of the state.
“A 32-year-old woman died in the cyclone after a coconut tree fell on her in Bardez taluka. The second death was reported at Marcel, where an electric pole fell on a scooter on which two people were travelling,” Sawant said.
Sawant said that in North Goa, Bardez bore the major brunt, with 32 trees uprooted and 17 houses damaged, while in the South, Mormugao taluka was badly hit with 36 houses reported damaged.
Access to Chorao island was blocked as massive trees fell on the roads. Some who had gone to get their inoculation jab found themselves stranded on Chorao for the night, with no means to return home.
The chief minister said it will take close to two days to clear the roads and restore access to places which have been cut-off because of the devastation.
The Navy and the Army have been asked to help the state authorities clear the debris and assist in restoration of connectivity. A 22-member National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also been deployed in the state to assist in rescue and relief operations.
With powerlines smashed to the ground, most parts of the state were thrown into darkness by early Sunday, with power yet to be restored at the time of going to print. The Goa electricity department has decided to requisition workers from Kolhapur and Belagavi to help restore power supply.
The surge in water levels also caused some low-lying areas to be cut-off from the rest of the state. The sea level rise saw many beaches being taken over with water entering shacks and houses, particularly at Bogmalo.
Fishermen at the Khariwada fishing jetty had a tough time protecting their vessels, with fishermen saying that a couple of trawlers were damaged due to the cyclonic storm.
Fire and emergency officials, Goa police and disaster response agencies were kept on their toes, answering distress calls throughout the day and well into the night. In the state capital itself, the directorate of fire & emergency services received over 100 distress calls.
Parts of Mala were cut off after the Rua de Ourem creek spilled over the banks due to the tidal surge and extremely high rainfall. Traffic had to be diverted through Bhatlem and Altinho.
In Margao, a huge banyan tree fell at Shirvodem, while a tree fell on a house at Comba. Trees also fell near T B Hospital at Monte Hill, blocking the road.
Sources with the fire services department said property worth several lakhs has been damaged, including cars, homes and agricultural produce.
Heavy rains accompanied by gusty winds lashed the hinterland too, reaching right up to Sattari. Several incidents of trees crashing on houses, across roads and on power cables were reported in Bicholim, with many villages cut off from Saturday night itself.
Farmers and plantation owners suffered heavy losses after their crops were destroyed due to cyclonic winds and have urged the government to provide them financial relief.
Canacona, Goa’s southernmost taluka, also saw trees crashing on to NH-66 and blocking vehicular traffic till 11.30am. Policemen had to step in to clear the trees and debris on the highway at Karmalghat.