Goa CM Inspects Landslide-hit NH66, Declares School Holiday Amid Heavy Rains

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant inspected NH66 after a landslide hit Malpem due to severe rainfall. Restoration is in progress, and a school holiday was declared due to a red alert by IMD, while government offices remain operational.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant inspected the Mumbai-Goa National Highway 66 on Wednesday, following a significant landslide in Malpem triggered by heavy rains. Addressing the media, Sawant mentioned that diversions were already in place by the Government of Goa and the National Highway Authority. 'A major landslide occurred yesterday and two days ago here. On behalf of the Government of Goa, I have spoken to Nitin Gadkari, and we are coordinating with institutes like IIT Mumbai,' Sawant said.

He added that the restoration efforts are underway, carried out by contractors. In response to an alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), CM Sawant had announced on Sunday that all schools, from pre-primary to the 12th standard, would be closed on Monday.

'This order is only for schools; all government offices will function according to their schedule,' the CM specified. He also reported that 80 individuals stranded at a waterfall were rescued by emergency services. 'All the roads are overflowed, and water has accumulated everywhere. Therefore, we have declared a one-day holiday for schools,' Sawant noted.