Losses due to floods could be over Rs 500 crore, says Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant

PANAJI: CM Pramod Sawant said on Saturday that the unprecedented floods in Goa on Thursday and Friday may have cost the state over Rs 500 crore — more than three times the losses suffered by the state after the devastation wrought by Cyclone Tauktae in May.
Stating that this is a preliminary estimate of the losses, Sawant said he would receive a detailed report on damage and losses by Tuesday. The CM said that around 5,000 houses have been damaged in the floods.

“Once the final report is compiled, the same will be forwarded to the Centre for financial assistance,” Sawant said.
“Our government will provide compensation for the damage within 15 days.” He added that all senior bureaucrats have been roped in to visit flood-affected areas and assess damages.
As reported by TOI on Saturday, Sawant said that four lives were lost on Friday due the floods — a woman, and three men who were electrocuted.
The flooding affected mainly rural Goa, and was especially severe in the talukas of Sattari, Bicholim and Ponda, besides parts of Bardez, Pernem and Dharbandora. Houses were damaged, some collapsed, at least two minor bridges were washed away, and roads were submerged.

The CM has said that foodgrains have been supplied to those affected by the floods.
“The bureaucrats have been asked to put things in place in the flood-affected areas. Though the main structure of some houses has not been affected, the internal damage is severe as water and slush have entered the houses. In most cases, the minimum loss could be more than Rs 1 lakh per house, as their electronics, clothes and other appliances have been damaged,” Sawant said.
The CM added that he called Union home minister Amit Shah, who promised to provide all necessary help to the state.
Meanwhile, the railway tracks along the South Western Railway route have been restored for trains. A temporary speed restriction of 10 kmph has been imposed.
Sawant said that on Saturday morning, he visited the flood-affected village of Daukond in Dharbandora taluka, which was almost underwater for around 8 hours. “We have directed the deputy collector to provide primary help to the people in distress,” Sawant said.
With the rain receding, life in the flood-affected areas has started returning to normalcy. Water levels in the rivers too have started coming down.
The floods have nearly 832 hectares of agricultural area severely damaged, and the preliminary agricultural losses have been pegged at Rs 2.5 crore.