Goa
After floods, massive landslides destroy cashew plantations in Zharme village
Valpoi, Goa: After floods wreaking havoc in Sattari, when the taluka slowly seems to be limping back to normalcy, another calamity has struck when a huge boulder came crashing down during a landslide at the hills located in Zharme village in the Maus Panchayat area, causing severe damage.
Locals said the incident caused considerable damages to orchards and created panic in the village.
This incident did not result in any casualties, but the matter in which the cliff came down is worrisome, say villagers.
The Zharme village in Maus Panchayat has a distinctive identity with its scenic beauty and nature. Hills surround the village on three sides.
On the other side of the hill are Dabe in the same panchayat area, Koparde village on the other side and Saleli village in Honda panchayat area on the third side.
According to information received, the landslide may have occurred due to heavy rains in the last week.
But today, when residents went to their cashew orchards, they saw massive losses. They said that almost the entire edge of the mountain collapsed. There were a lot of cashew orchards on this hill.
Cashew plantation is a primary source of living for these locals here. However, the landslide and boulder crashing have now caused huge damage, the villagers said.
Locals also said that a large amount of sludge came down along with the boulder, which has destroyed the plantations and fields.
According to them the sludge and landslide was a result of heavy rains in the past three weeks.
The landslide damaged fields and created fear in people’s minds as hills surround the village, and they suspect there could be more landslides if the rains continue.
While many theories are being put out for the landslide and boulder collapse, the villagers have demanded to know the exact reason behind the incident. They say it has never been witnessed in the last 100 years.