Rains take Goa by storm (Herald)

Rains take Goa by storm July 3, 2013 Flash floods in several places l 18th June Road flooded; water enters shops, hotels South Goa worst hit, 60 houses inundated in Cuncolim l Traffic disrupted TEAM HERALD PANJIM/MARGAO: After a lull, monsoons gripped Goa in full fury with near continuous showers over the last 24 hours causing flooding in parts of the State, inundating roads and disrupting traffic, as the sad saga of poor pre-monsoon routine works and flood control and disaster management blunders continue year after year. In Panjim, the city’s arterial roads especially 18th June Road was inundated causing diversion of traffic with water entering shops, establishments and hotels along the perimeter of the road. Water also entered houses in low-lying areas of Mala. Heavy traffic jams were also reported at almost every junction in the city. South Goa was the worst hit with flash floods witnessed in the low-lying areas of Cuncolim where National Highway-17 was partially submerged. The State administration which took about an hour to respond, evacuated people from more than 60 houses in the village due to water entering their houses. Traffic on the busy Margao-Quepem road was also disrupted Tuesday evening after the road was submerged under flood water at Paroda, prompting the authorities to divert the traffic via Chandor. A number of families were evacuated in Cuncolim, 55 from Sanvorcotto and three from Buinsa-Dandora, besides two families from Betmadi-Curchorem. The authorities moved in to divert the NH-17 traffic via Assolna after flood water submerged the highway between the Cuncolim bus stand and Uskinibandh. Roads in Balli village were also submerged following heavy rains. Many families left their homes around noon from Sanvorcotto, Buring, Takaband, Gaoton, Batiem and Naikwaddo in Cuncolim after flood water entered their houses. Though the authorities made arrangements to shift them to the recreation hall at Madicotto, many made own arrangements by taking shelter at their friends and relatives’ residences. Many roads in Margao were inundated due to incessant showers, throwing life out of gear in the commercial capital, especially in the Aquem-Power house area, old station road, at Comba near the Subway. The Margao markets wore a deserted look as rains left no scope for routine activities in the town throughout the day. District Collector, ND Agrawal told Herald late Tuesday evening that the situation was under control since the flood waters were receding by evening. He said the authorities have made accommodation and food arrangements for the marooned families at the recreation centre at Cuncolim. But with heavy showers continuing late evening, the fate of many remains to be seen. He said a number of factors contributed to the flooding in Cuncolim, Paroda and Balli, saying that the authorities will verify whether water from the Selaulim dam was released on Tuesday. http://www.heraldgoa.in/News/Main%20Page%20News/Rains-take-Goa-by-storm/76426.html 24 hours of heavy rainfall leaves Cuncolim under water TNN | Jul 3, 2013, 04.05 AM IST http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/24-hours-of-heavy-rainfall-leaves-Cuncolim-under-water/articleshow/20885789.cms Monsoon mayhem: Life disrupted in Bicholim, trees uprooted across state TNN | Jul 3, 2013, 03.54 AM IST http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Monsoon-mayhem-Life-disrupted-in-Bicholim-trees-uprooted-across-state/articleshow/20885703.cms Heavy rains lash Goa; 150 evacuated Vijay Desouza, TNN | Jul 3, 2013, 12.52 AM IST http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Heavy-rains-lash-Goa-150-evacuated/articleshow/20884239.cms