Goa govt monitoring situation after heavy downpour in state

Panaji, Aug 6 (UNI) The coast guard was put on high alert following reports of damages and rising inflows due to heavy rains that have been lashing Goa for the past four days even as ministers have been deputed to talukas to monitor the situation.

Briefing mediapersons after holding a Cabinet meeting at the Porvorim secretariat complex today, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said the government was prepared to offer matching grants towards compensation to the victims if the current bout of rains was reckoned as ''natural calamity'' by the Centre.

''The government is ready to assist the victims from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. No calamity had been reported from anywhere in the state so far except incidents of fallen trees and damage to houses,'' said Mr Kamat.

Meanwhile, heavy but intermittant rains continued to lash Goa State today even as the Indian Coast Guard was put on alert to meet any eventuality.

The state had received double the rainfall so far this season as against 1100 mm rainfall in the entire season. The Met office had warned the fishermen against venturing into the sea which would be rough with winds blowing heavily.

UNI