Respite in rains brings relief to people in Goa

Panaji, Aug 7 (UNI) People today got a respite from the torrential rains that lashed Goa during the last five days, recording more than double the rainfall so far over the last year's entire seasonal total.

The MET office has forecast heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours.

The state till this evening received 40.3 mm rain in the last 24 hours, thus registering a total 2,313 mm of rainfall so far as against 1100 mm in the entire season last year.

Fisherfolk was advised not to venture into the sea which would be very rough.

Meanwhile, 18 cases of house collapse were reported in North Goa - 10 in Tiswadi taluk and two each in Ponda, Bardez, Bicholim and Sattari.

About 123 people from Fatorda to the Football stadium in South Goa were evacuated following flooding in low-lying areas.

So far, 220 people were paid compensation following damage to their houses ast different places.

The government has also paid Rs 50,000 each to the next of the kin of two people who died in June-July -- one each at Ponda and Sattari taluk following house collapse.

Meanwhile, the irrigation authorities released flood water from the 93.2 metre high Anjuna Dam to maintain the safe 91 metre level today.

The water level increased menacingly following heavy downpour in the catchment areas in the last four days.

The authorities have, however, been keeping a constant vigil, according to the engineer in-charge S Sekhar.

UNI