Panaji, Oct 2 (Inditop.com) Torrential rains since Wednesday have forced closure of Goa’s Dabolim airport and disrupted train services in the state, and one person is feared drowned, officials said Friday.
State Chief Secretary Sanjiv Srivastava told reporters that the army’s help could be sought to rescue residents in 100-odd houses in the Canacona region in south Goa, trapped due to the flooding of the area.
“The entire state machinery has been galvanised. We are also trying to involve the army in the flood-control and rescue operation,” Srivastava said.
“We have already put rescue boats and other measures into action to rescue the marooned people to safer locations. The South Goa collector is monitoring the operation,” Srivastava said, adding that the state’s disaster management plan has already been put into action.
Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials said that 16 flights were diverted mid-air from Dabolim airport to the nearest airport, because of poor visibility and heavy rains. Goa recorded nearly seven inches of rain since Thursday evening.
Meanwhile, rail traffic along the Konkan Railway route continues to be paralysed with the tracks south of Karwar completely submerged by the rains.
Four trains, including the Delhi-bound Thiruvananthpuram Rajdhani Express, have been halted at the Bhatkal railway station in Karnataka, Konkan Railway officials said.
