Rane blames officials for floods

Valpoi: Health minister and Valpoi MLA Vishwajit Rane blamed officials of the

disaster management

cell for Thursday’s floods. Rane slammed North Goa collector Ajit Roy and said that preventive measures were not put in place even when IMD had issued sufficient warnings of extremely heavy rainfall.

“When IMD office gives emergency warning, the deputy collector’s office should be activated, but the Sattari deputy collector’s office was sleeping,” Rane said.

Rane said that the deputy collector and mamlatdar should have been stationed in Sattari through Thursday night to monitor the situation, but the officials did not receive any instructions from the North Goa collector. “It is a shame for me that being in the government I could not do anything,” Rane said.

Rane said that zero disaster management measures were in place in Sattari. “Our people have faced immense hardship due to continuous and heavy rainfall in SattariAlong with our people, we assessed the situation and visited the homes that had been damaged by heavy rain,” he said.

He said that he has requested chief minister Pramod Sawant that compensation be given to all citizens whose homes were severely damaged. Local panch members and councillors have been directed to compile a list of all those who are affected.

“We have assured that assistance will be provided latest by Tuesday,” Rane said.

He said the Collector has now been instructed to set up a 24/7 control room in view of IMD’s prediction of heavy rainfall in the coming days and has directed him to ensure deputy Collector’s office is open 24/7.

Rane took stock of the situation at Kudshe, Savorshe, Nanus, which have been left disconnected due to flooding. He also visited Keri to assess the ground situation.

“After my inspection, I had a detailed discussion with CM Pramod Sawant. Necessary directions have been issued for repair of the bridges for Paikul, Pelavade, Ghoteli 2, and other areas where the bridges have collapsed,” Rane said.