Heavy Rains Wreak Havoc in Goa, Claim Three Lives and Leave 150 Stranded

Goa, a popular tourist destination, was hit by heavy rains, causing widespread destruction and chaos in the state. The downpour led to landslides, wall collapses, and flash floods, resulting in the loss of three lives and leaving over 150 people stranded.

In North Goa’s Kundaim, a retaining wall collapsed, trapping three labourers employed with an engineering project. The deceased have been identified as Dilip Yadav (37), Mukesh Kumar Singh (38), and Trinath Nayak (47). One worker sustained injuries in the incident.

Meanwhile, in Sattari taluka, over 150 people, including locals and tourists, were stranded at Pali waterfall in Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary after the water levels rose due to the heavy rain. The rescue operation, which lasted four hours, was conducted by the forest, police, and local authorities. “All 150 stranded people at Pali had been rescued with the help of forest, police, and locals of Pali,” said North Goa SP Akshat Kaushal.

The Pali waterfall, which is designated as a “low-risk” trail, is a popular spot for trekking, but swimming is not allowed. The water levels had risen due to the rain, cutting off the stranded visitors from the rest of the area. A combing operation was conducted, and everyone was safely rescued by 6:30 pm. Most of those stranded were from different parts of the state.

In response to the incident, the state forest department announced that it would close access to all waterfalls in the state for a week until the rain subsides. The directorate of education also declared that schools would remain closed on Monday.

The India Meteorological Department has issued a warning of a “moderate flash flood risk” in coastal Karnataka and Goa over the next 24 hours, predicting “heavy to very heavy rainfall” with strong surface winds. The state capital, Panaji, received over 115 mm of rainfall in just six hours on Sunday morning.

The heavy rain also led to a landslide on the national highway, causing traffic to be diverted from Farmagudi to Mardol. A retaining wall collapsed on the national highway 66 on the Naibag-Pernem stretch, and a portion of Mala district court Altinho road in North Goa caved in, forcing it to be closed for vehicular traffic. The Paroda-Quepem bridge in South Goa was also submerged.

It is worth noting that the state’s forest department had earlier banned entry to waterfalls in the state in June after a few incidents of drownings were reported. However, the ban was partially lifted to allow access to low-risk waterfalls like Pali after criticism from the state’s tourism minister, Rohan Khaunte.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures and preparedness during natural disasters. It is essential to stay informed about weather conditions and follow instructions from authorities to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Historical Context:

Goa, a state in western India, has a long history of being prone to natural disasters, particularly floods and landslides, due to its geographical location and climate. The state’s hilly terrain and heavy rainfall during the monsoon season make it vulnerable to such events. In recent years, Goa has experienced several instances of flooding and landslides, resulting in loss of life and property. The state’s tourism industry, which is a significant contributor to its economy, has been affected by these events, leading to concerns about the safety and preparedness of tourists and locals alike.

In 2019, Goa experienced severe flooding, which resulted in the deaths of 12 people and displaced thousands. The state government had to declare a state of emergency and deploy the army to assist with rescue operations. The incident highlighted the need for better preparedness and infrastructure to mitigate the impact of natural disasters.

In 2020, the state government banned entry to waterfalls in Goa after a series of drowning incidents, citing safety concerns. However, the ban was partially lifted in June 2022, allowing access to low-risk waterfalls like Pali, following criticism from the state’s tourism minister.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• Heavy rains hit Goa, causing widespread destruction and chaos, resulting in the loss of three lives and leaving over 150 people stranded. • A retaining wall collapsed in North Goa’s Kundaim, trapping three labourers, who later died. • Over 150 people, including locals and tourists, were stranded at Pali waterfall in Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary due to rising water levels. • The rescue operation, conducted by forest, police, and local authorities, lasted four hours and was completed by 6:30 pm. • The state forest department announced that it would close access to all waterfalls in the state for a week until the rain subsides. • The directorate of education declared that schools would remain closed on Monday. • The India Meteorological Department issued a warning of a “moderate flash flood risk” in coastal Karnataka and Goa over the next 24 hours, predicting “heavy to very heavy rainfall” with strong surface winds. • The heavy rain led to a landslide on the national highway, causing traffic diversion, and a retaining wall collapse on the national highway 66. • The Paroda-Quepem bridge in South Goa was also submerged. • The state’s forest department had banned entry to waterfalls in June after a few incidents of drownings were reported, but the ban was partially lifted to allow access to low-risk waterfalls like Pali. • The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures and preparedness during natural disasters.