Mapusa Fire Brigade on Double Duty as Gusty Winds and Soaked Soil due to unseasonal rain Bring Down Trees at Asnora and Rajwada

Mapusa Fire Brigade on Double Duty as Gusty Winds and Soaked Soil due to unseasonal rain Bring Down Trees at Asnora and Rajwada

MAPUSA, Oct 19: unseasonal rain and gusty winds brought chaos to Mapusa on Sunday afternoon as two separate tree fall incidents were reported within just 14 minutes, damaging a house and an apartment complex. The first incident occurred at around 15:50 hrs near Zharapkar Petrol Pump at Asnora, where a large tree uprooted by the strong wind fell directly on a house. The impact damaged the roof structure of the dwelling. The Mapusa Fire Station responded immediately, with firefighter Shri Vishnu Kesarkar leading the operation. The team worked to cut and clear the fallen tree and ensured the occupants were safe. No casualties were reported. Before the first team had fully cleared the site, another call came in at 16:04 hrs. A tree had fallen on the Sweet Home Apartment at Rajwada, near the Old Asilo in Mapusa. Leading Firefighter Suraj Shetgaonkar led the second response team from Mapusa. Firefighters rushed to the apartment complex, cleared the obstruction, and checked the structure for any further danger to residents. Both incidents highlight the growing danger posed by weakened trees and waterlogged soil during the current spell of rain. Residents in low lying and tree lined areas of Mapusa, Asnora and Rajwada have expressed concern over such trees, many of which have shallow roots due to continuous rain. The Fire Department has urged citizens to stay alert, avoid parking vehicles under large old trees, and report any tilted or dangerous trees to the authorities immediately.