Canacona: A landslide around midnight on Tuesday damaged the rear portion of Sebastiao Corte’s house at Utrabandh, Loliem, after stones from the retention wall behind the house were pushed out, triggering concern among residents over further landslides and rockfalls.Canacona Emergency Services station fire officer Dilesh Gaonkar said the homeowner suffered a loss of Rs 18,000, adding that timely action by staff prevented damage estimated at Rs 1.5 lakh. He said several boulders and mud came to rest against the rear retention wall, resulting in only minor damage.Residents said they fear more mud and rocks could roll down the hillside if heavy rain continues. The homeowner and nearby residents have demanded immediate action from the concerned authorities to ensure public safety.Meanwhile, amid continuing rainfall accompanied by moderate winds, Emergency Services received eight distress calls related to trees falling on NH 66 and interior roads. Fire personnel have been engaged over the past two days in clearing fallen trees to restore vehicular movement.In another incident, an old tree fell on a parked car belonging to Lasko Gaonkar of Badsarem at Gaondongrim, causing a loss of Rs 30,000, the SFO said.Emergency staff also attended a complaint of a blocked drain in front of the govt primary school in Chaudi. Fire personnel cleared the drain to divert water and prevent it from entering the school.In a separate rescue, a grown bull got stuck in a valley at Shristhal and was safely retrieved without further injury.Gaonkar said the operations were handled by leading firefighters Prashant Velip and Umesh Achari, assisted by firemen Anil Talpankar, Shashikant Velip, Sudesh Rekdo, Pratik Desai and driver-operator Ashok Gaonkar.
