Flood-like situation in parts of Goa; several rivers in spate after heavy rains
Panaji: Several parts of Goa, including Sattari and Bicholim tehsils in north and Dharbandora in south, are reeling under a flood-like situation, where a large number of houses got inundated as the water level of some rivers rose following heavy rains over the past few days, officials said on Friday.
However, no loss of human life has been reported so far due to it, they said.
At least 100 houses in Sattari tehsil have been under water since Thursday night as the water level of the Mahadayi river increased due to incessant rains that has been lashing the state since over a week now, a senior official said.
There were no fatalities, but flood-like situation exists. Those people whose houses have gone completely under water have shifted to safer places on their own, he said.
Almost half of Velus village located near Valpoi town in Sattari, is inundated, while several other villages were cut off as roads and culverts are under water, eyewitnesses said.
Valpoi MLA and state minister Vishwajit Rane said on Twitter, Due to continuous and heavy rainfall, Mhadei (Mahadayi) has been overflowing. Water has entered different parts of Valpoi. Necessary directions have been issued to the collectors to have the Disaster Management team stationed at Sattari & Usgao.
Water has entered their houses causing a lot of damage. It is very important for us to ensure our people's safety. With the intervention of the Disaster Management Team, they will be shifted to safer locations, he added.
Near Sankhalim town in Bicholim tehsil, Valvanti and Sakhali rivers are overflowing and have crossed the danger level, officials said.
People residing in and around Harvalem village in Bicholim have been asked to be on alert as flood-like situation prevails there, they added.
Similar situation is seen in and around Mollem village in South Goa's Dharbandora tehsil.
Official sources said that Sangod village in Mollem is facing a flood-like situation, where water has entered to the houses and roads are flooded.
On Thursday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a warning that a circulation in the Bay of Bengal is likely to trigger low-pressure area that will cause more rainfall in Goa.
Till Wednesday, the coastal state had received 1,998.3 mm rainfall during the ongoing monsoon season as against the average of 1,612.7 mm for the corresponding period.
The state fisheries department has already issued a warning to local fishermen, asking them not to venture out into the sea due to gusty winds.
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Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
