Cyclone Ockhi has battered a dozen beaches along Goa’s 106-km coastline and has caused damages to the tune of ₹30 lakh, State Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte said on Tuesday.
Mr. Khaunte said that these were preliminary estimates based on surveys caused by the cyclone, which skimmed off Goa’s coastline.
“Some six areas in Salcete (a coastal taluk in South Goa) Varca, Cavellossim, Utorda, Benaulim, Betalbatim and Sernabatim, and in North Goa, Arambol, Mandrem, Morjim, Keri, Candolim, Anjuna have been affected,” Mr. Khaunte said. These are popular beach villages frequented by tourists.
Mr. Khaunte said property owners could claim compensation if they approached government agencies for assistance within two days. He said only legal structures would be considered for compensation.
“The beach shacks have been damaged because of the rise in sea levels. The State Disaster Management Committee has surveyed the areas and will submit a report in two days,” he added.
The district collectors of both North Goa and South Goa have been asked to conduct a field inspection of the damaged sites with officials of the Tourism Department and Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority.
A large number of beach shacks (temporary eateries set up on the beaches during tourist season) which cater to the tourists, have been damaged due to rise in water level and height of waves in some areas, the initial reports said.
