The storm’s gone, but shack owners all at sea

MARGAO
Four days after the rising sea water caused severe damage to many shacks on Salcete's coastal belt, the beleaguered owners have started work on rebuilding their respective structures, even as the peak tourism season lies ahead
of them.
While the fortunate few, who escaped with minor damage, have resumed their operations, those who were hit badly are bracing up to open their shacks in a day or two. Labourers were seen engaged in fitting the floor tiles, while shack employees were on the job to ensure that the business resumes at the earliest.
Says shack owner from Cavelossim Rosario Monteiro, whose shack bore the brunt of the rising sea, "Except the structure, the plywood, tiles and other items were all washed away after huge waves battered the coast on Sunday and Monday. But with the help of labourers, I have managed to put the ply as well as the tiles." He exuded confidence of resuming operations in a day or two.
Edwin Barretto, whose shack escaped with minor damage, said the beleaguered owners are slowly and steadily trying to get the business back on its feet. "There are a couple of shack owners who suffered extensively, both in terms of damage and the loss of business during the last four days," Edwin said.
President of Goa Shack Owners Society, Cruz Cardozo, who operates a shack on the Cavelossim-Mobor beach, said, "There were shacks which had withstood the nature's fury, while others bore the brunt. I have received messages from our counterparts from Morjim, which faced the brunt of the destruction caused by the incursion of the sea."
He said the unprecedented incident had come at a time when December is a peak time for the shack business. "The business is seasonal in nature with December being the peak month," Cruz said.