Cyclonic winds hit Goa, city on blackout
Press Trust of India
Panaji, April 20, 2005

Thunder squalls and rainstorm hit Goa on Wednesday evening, causing panic among citizens and some damage to property in the city.

However, there were no reports of any loss of human life.

Cyclonic winds hit Goa, city on blackout
Press Trust of India
Panaji, April 20, 2005

Thunder squalls and rainstorm hit Goa on Wednesday evening, causing panic among citizens and some damage to property in the city.

However, there were no reports of any loss of human life.

As a result of raging winds billboards and metal roofs came crashing down and hampered visibility considerably. Later entire city was plunged into darkness after power went off.

"These are gusty winds or thunder squalls, which occur due to excessive heating of the ground and the subsequent creation of moisture in the environment. This period is known as a cyclonic period and there are likely to be thunderstorms during this time," said director of the metereological department K V Singh.

He said such squalls would not last for long and would subside by Wednesday night.

"Such thunderstorms come once in two to three days, they do not continue for days together. The wind would subside soon. This cannot be classified as a cyclone," he added.
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