-- Samir Umarye
BICHOLIM JULY 8: As a measure to tackle floods in Bicholim taluka it was decided to establish two helipads in the taluka. The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Emergency Flood control committee held at the Bicholim Mamletdar office on Saturday. The deputy collector, Arvind Bugde chaired the meeting. It may be recalled that flood had hit Bicholim taluka last year and had destroyed property worth lakh of rupees. The Bicholim and Sanquelim market was submerged under water and several people had to be rescued from their homes. After this incident a special committee consisting of people from the flood affected areas, government officials was formed under the chairmanship of the deputy collector. On Saturday a special meeting was held to discuss the measures to be taken if the floods hit the taluka in the future. The people brought to the notice that last year there were some instances when the people had to be rescued as water engulfed their houses. The fire force had to struggle hard to save them. In the meeting it was decided that in case of emergency there should be helicopters in the area so that the people could be saved. In view of this it was decided to construct of two helipads one in Bicholim at Lakheram and the other on the ground of the Government college Sanquelim. To construct a permanent helipad it was decided to acquisition land at Harvalem Sanquelim. The deputy collector told that during emergency a warning siren would be sounded and the people would be shifted to safer places. Discussions on various topics including the places to be reserved for the flood victims, supply of food, medicine and other facilities was also held. Several points including taking appointing a personnel on the dam at Virdi (Maharastra), making special chart to indicate high and low tide, cutting down dangerous branches of trees were also discussed during the meeting. The officials from PWD, electricity, transport, police, education, fire force, BDO and muncipality were also present on the occasion.