MARGAO
The absence of an adequate number of fire tenders came to haunt fire personnel as strong winds wreaked havoc across Cuncolim and parts of the Salcete coastal belt late on Sunday evening.
As fire personnel struggled to respond to a series of emergency calls after gusty winds uprooted trees in Cuncolim and surrounding areas, it emerged that the Cuncolim Fire Brigade is equipped with just one fire tender.
Similarly, the Margao Fire Brigade currently has only two fire tenders in operation after one of its vehicles was recently condemned, with a replacement yet to be provided.
Sources said the Cuncolim Fire Brigade is in urgent need of an additional fire tender as it caters not only to the Cuncolim municipal area but also to neighbouring villages, including parts of the Salcete coastal belt.
The fire services came under public scrutiny on Sunday night after strong winds uprooted several trees, blocking the Assolna-Cuncolim major district road at Dandora and several internal roads. Fire personnel were seen struggling to clear the debris with the lone fire tender available at the station.
Additional fire tenders had to be rushed to Cuncolim and the Salcete coastal belt to remove uprooted trees from roads and vehicles affected by the storm.
Sources maintained that the Fire and Emergency Services Department should immediately deploy additional fire tenders to both the Margao and Cuncolim fire stations to effectively tackle emergencies during the monsoon season.
Meanwhile, sources said power supply was restored in some areas of Cuncolim only on Monday morning.
