Sunday’s losses pegged at 22L

Panaji: The Goa directorate of fire and emergency services estimates that Sunday’s deluge damaged property worth more than Rs 22 lakh. The heavy rainfall that Goa witnessed in 24 hours saw the department receive close to 200 distress calls. The rain destroyed cars, homes, compound walls, power infrastructure, roads, and crops.
The department also noted that the heavy showers have claimed the lives of five people .It was observed that in both instances walls had collapsed on the individuals.
A boat also sank next to the Cutbona jetty, with fire department officials suspecting that the vessel sank because of the heavy showers.
The department also estimates that it managed to save property worth Rs 27 lakh by responding to emergency calls on time. With heavy showers and flooding continuing on Monday, department personnel continued to be on their toes, responding to tree falls, flooded streets, and partially submerged homes. Firefighters were called to rescue several individuals who were trapped in their homes due to rising water levels.
Most of the damage was witnessed in Ponda, Bicholim, and Valpoi talukas. Assessment of the damage caused by landslides, destruction of roads, and retaining walls is yet to be completed.
The department also stated that the total number of people rescued due to a flash flood at the Pali waterfall is 123. Trucks conducted 148 fire tender trips in the 24 hours since 7am on Sunday.
The data shows that between Friday and Sunday, the department received 235 emergency calls. Most of these calls were because of trees getting uprooted, damaging homes and vehicles, and blocking roads. Firefighters were also called to assist two vehicles that were stranded in a waterlogged stretch near GMC at Bambolim. The vehicles were ferrying patients to the hospital.