Goa Lashed By Heavy Rains, Orange Alert Issued Till July 4
Goa was battered by a relentless 24-hour downpour that triggered widespread flooding, road closures, and structural damage across both North and South districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an Orange Alert for July 3–4, warning of continued heavy to extremely heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds. With over 229 mm rainfall in parts like Dharbandora, coastal and urban regions including Panaji experienced serious waterlogging, traffic gridlocks, and public safety hazards as monsoon intensity showed no signs of easing.
The extreme weather over the last 24 hours has left Goa grappling with disrupted mobility and flood-hit infrastructure. Urban centres such as Panaji reported submerged roads and accidents linked to exposed drains. Pedestrians and motorists at the Panaji KTC bus stand faced treacherous conditions, while in Ribandar, a retaining wall near Ram Mandir collapsed following visible structural cracks. The IMD’s Orange Alert, currently in force for July 3 and 4, has been extended with a Yellow Alert until July 9, citing the possibility of isolated heavy rainfall and sustained gusty winds up to 50 kmph. Dharbandora recorded the state’s highest rainfall at 229.4 mm. The situation in low-lying areas remains precarious, with authorities urging caution. Floodwaters forced a shutdown of the Margao–Quepem route near Paroda, redirecting traffic through Chandor. Emergency personnel remain deployed across districts, managing congestion and drainage overflow as officials brace for another wave of rain.
The impact of the downpour has been acutely felt across infrastructure and daily services. Coastal roads in Panaji, already vulnerable during high tides, experienced severe waterlogging, complicating commutes and disrupting bus and utility services. Officials cautioned against venturing near overflowing rivers or stormwater drains. Meanwhile, neighbouring Karnataka’s Karwar taluka reported a landslide blocking the Kodasalli Dam route, isolating several villages and halting maintenance access to the power house. In Goa, the presence of uncovered manholes, clogged drains, and eroded embankments magnified the risks posed by sudden cloudbursts. Civic bodies and disaster response teams have stepped up relief measures, while fishermen and coastal residents have been advised to avoid venturing into the sea. As the IMD continues to track the active monsoon trough, residents have been asked to remain alert and adhere to public advisories. With monsoon-related incidents mounting, calls are growing for faster drainage upgrades and preventive infrastructure in flood-prone zones.
As Goa faces another spell of intense monsoon activity, residents and emergency teams are navigating waterlogged streets, collapsed infrastructure, and public safety threats. Despite preparedness efforts, repeated flooding in urban pockets like Panaji highlights the fragility of stormwater and road systems during peak rains. With alerts extended and wind speeds climbing, caution remains critical for those in vulnerable zones. As the state anticipates continued rainfall into the coming week, sustained attention to drainage infrastructure, real-time weather communication, and community-level preparedness will be essential to mitigating the impact of recurring monsoon extremes and safeguarding urban resilience.
