Heavy rains in Goa traffic on national highway affected

Panaji, Aug 10 (UNI) Heavy rains pounding the state for the last few days, have affected traffic on the Goa-Karnataka National highway, leading to traffic jams and resulted in flooding of several low-lying areas.

The state administration has taken all measures to meet any eventuality as the water level of Anjunem dam in North Goa is rapidly rising and health minister Vishwajeet Rane directed authorities to keep vehicles ready at Keri, Sanqualim, Bicholim and other villages for evacuation of the affected people, if necessary.

The minister also visited the dam site and asked the authorities to keep a vigil to avoid possible flooding even as chief engineer of the water resources department alerted the villagers about the possible danger in case of floods.

Meanwhile, the authorities were greppling it out to restore normal movement on the Goa-Karnataka national highway at Anmod Ghat, 70 kms from here. Traffic was blocked since yesterday following a massive landslide after heavy rains.

Scores of trucks, besides passenger vehicles, pass through the national highway carrying essential commodities including eggs, chicken, fish, vegetables and milk to Goa from Karnataka on a regular basis. The 150-metre stretch on the national highway at Anmod Ghat has been badly affected.

Heavy vehicles from Goa were diverted from Chorlem Ghats to Karnataka.

The Karnataka traffic police was alerted to divert all vehicles to Goa from Ram Nagar, as the road had been closed for traffic on either side.

Meanwhile, Goa received 1805.7 mm rainfall this monsoon so far, including 191.7 mm during the last 24 hours with 98 per cent relative humidity.

The weather department has predicted heavy to very heavy rains at isolated places and heavy rains at a few places, accompanied by westerly wind with speed ranging from 50 to 70 kmph in the state in the next 48 hours.

It also warned the fishermen against venturing into the rough seas.

UNI BM OBB ARB RAI2001