In wake of the sudden rise in sea levels triggered by the passage of Cyclone Ockhi the Goa Government on Tuesday said that it would speed up the setting up of a
technology-savvy disaster warning centre, which would be able to provide pre-warning of natural calamities.
Speaking to reporters at the State Secretariat Goa’s Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte said that as many as 12 beaches, were damaged by the effects of Cyclone Ockhi, which passed by the state’s coastline on Sunday night, causing a rise in sea water levels, which
damaged several beach shacks and their equipment.
“We are enabling an Information Technology platform to ensure that systems are available for preventive mechanisms,” Khaunte said.
Centered over the South East Arabian sea, near the lakshadweep islands, the impact of the cyclone could be felt several hundred kms away on Goa’s beaches on Sunday night, with the water levels
rising and penetrating several dozen beach shacks
temporary thatched structures on the beach which serve as havens for food and beverage on the state’s coastline – damaging property.
There are more than 300 beach shacks, spread along 101 km long coastline, which according to official statistics attracts more than six million tourists every year, both domestic and foreign.
Khaunte said that as many as 12 beaches were impacted by the rising sea water levels, which resulted in the water running into shacks, damaging their property and causing sand erosion in many places.
Beaches in both the districts in the state were affected by the natural phenomenon.
“Roughly about six areas in Salcete (a coastal sub district in South Goa) Varca, Cavellossim, Utorda, Benaulim, Betalbatim and Sernabatim and in North Goa Arambol, Mandrem, Morjim, Keri, Candolim, Anjuna have been affected,” Khaunte said.
“Those who are affected by the damage can submit details to the government within two days to avail of compensation,” he said.
“I have asked both district collectors in North Goa and South Goa to conduct a field inspection of the damaged sites in coastal areas, along with
officials from the Tourism Department officials and Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority to establish and assess the exact nature of damage and fix a compensation,” he said.