Heavy rainfall on Sunday led to extensive flooding in several parts of Panaji, severely disrupting daily routines and traffic flow. The inundation on 18th June Road was particularly severe, with water entering shops and crippling businesses for several hours. The flooding also affected the road near Stella Maris Chapel at Miramar, sections of EDC Patto Plaza near the central library, and the KTC bus stand area, causing traffic to slow to a crawl in the morning.
Residents in Ribandar faced considerable difficulties, with at least two houses experiencing ankle-deep water inside. The situation was exacerbated by numerous vehicles getting stuck in open drains on DB Road, as the authorities had neither covered nor barricaded these drains. Adding to the chaos, a portion of an abandoned heritage building near Geeta Bakery collapsed on Saturday night, raising safety concerns among the public. “A part of the building crumbled around 8:30 PM, and the authorities, including the police, were informed,” said a local shop owner. While the authorities have since barricaded the area, the measures taken were deemed “inadequate” by the shop owner, who warned that the remaining structure could collapse at any moment. He urged officials to implement comprehensive safety measures to mitigate any risks.
The persistent heavy downpours and consequent flooding have severely impacted daily life and business operations in Panaji for over a week. “The city floods whenever heavy rain coincides with a high tide in the Mandovi river, causing river water to flow into stormwater drains through outlets,” explained a Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) official. “As a result, rainwater from the central part of the city cannot pass through the outlets.” The official suggested that flooding near Stella Maris Chapel could be alleviated only after the government constructs new drains along DB Road, extending from Miramar Circle to the indoor stadium at Campal.
Additionally, late on Saturday night, a tree fell on a parked rent-a-cab at Althino, causing significant damage but fortunately no injuries. The fire and emergency services were promptly called to clear the tree from the road. The continuous heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding have exposed critical infrastructure vulnerabilities in Panaji. Urgent measures are required to prevent such disruptions and safeguard residents and businesses from future incidents. The need for improved drainage systems and robust emergency response strategies is imperative to ensure the city’s resilience against natural calamities.
