Heavy rains in Goa, five trawlers capsize

PANAJI: Heavy rains accompanied by gusty winds lashed the coastal state of Goa for the third day on Tuesday, even as five trawlers capsized while a barge ran aground on Miramar beach near here.

Goa received 26 cm of rain during the past two days while Margoa in south Goa registered 32 cms, said K V Singh, Director of the meterological department.

"Gusty winds and heavy rains will continue for the next 24 hours and we have sent a warning to fishermen asking them not to venture out to sea," Singh said.

Coastal towns were the worst hit as gusty winds caused by upper air cyclonic circulation off the Karwar coast created havoc. There was damage to property, but no one was killed, officials said.

"The Kerala-based trawler 'Selvamatha' capsized off the Goa coast. Of its nine crew members, eight swam across to shore while one is missing. The trawler was towed to nearby Vasco harbour by another trawler," said Commandant R M Sharma, Deputy Inspector General of the Coast Guard.