Respite after 3-day incessant downpour as early monsoon strikes Goa

Panaji, May 31(UNI) People heaved a sigh of relief this afternoon with respite from the 3-day incessant downpour as early monsoon struck Goa.

South Goa was the worst hit with several low lying areas inundated and power and communication lines disrupted.

About 300 people had been evacuated to safety while the revenue authorities started estimating the damages. There was however no loss of life reported so far.

Power minister Digambar Kamat put the loss to about Rs 1 crore of electric installations.

The official machinery is geared to meet the situation by keping several departments on high alert in view of the early monsoon.

The government had opened round the clock control rooms, one each in Panaji city, secretariat at Porvorim and south Goa collectorate at Margao, besides taluk level control rooms at Bardez, Bicholem, Pernim, Sattari and Ponda.

At the sametime, they had been touch with the police, the fire services and the Coast Guard control rooms for meeting any emergency.

The fishermen had however been directed not to venture into the sea for the next 48 hours as a precautionary measure.

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