Panaji (Goa): Over 50 beach shacks in the tourist popular coastal talukas of Pernem and Bardez in North Goa, and several in Salcette taluka in South suffered damage due to the ingress of the sea after a rapid rise in the high tide level as an impact of Cyclone Ockhi.
Preliminary assessments by the North and South districts magistrates on Sunday also reported soil erosion across few beaches. The State Disaster Management Authority headed by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar will hold a meeting on Tuesday to decide compensation for affected shack operators.
“There was considerable damage caused to almost 50 shacks in Morjim, Mandrem, Arambol and Querim beaches in Pernem Taluka. In Bardez Taluka, only soil erosion in Anjuna and Baga beaches and damage to a retaining wall at Coco Beach in Nerul have been reported. There was no danger caused to human life in North Goa District as necessary instructions were given by the Talathis to the foreigners, tourists and locals not to enter in sea/beaches due to Ockhi Cyclone. Instructions were also given to the fishermen of the coastal belt not to venture into the sea at least for the next three days,” reads a report by the District Magistrate, North Goa Nila Mohanan.
In South, there is no reported damage to shacks in Mormugao Taluka but retaining wall at Hollant, Issorcim is damaged whereas almost 60 mts. of the Floating Jetty at Baina Beach has been washed away.
The report by south Magistrate also states that in Canacona taluka, no major loss has been reported. However, shacks in Salcete Taluka have been reported to have suffered damages to the tune of Rs 30 lakhs. In a separate report to the government detailing the damages, the Magistrate also mentioned that people were warned from entering the waters.
Both district magistrates have recommended to notify the event as State disaster to release compensation to affected parties particularly the shack owners. The decision in this regard is likely tomorrow at the State Disaster Management Authority meeting on Tuesday.
