Revenue Minister Atanasio alias Babush Monserrate mentioned in the Legislative Assembly that the government is well-prepared for any eventuality like Wayanad. He went on to say that The Goa State Disaster Management Authority is equipped to handle such situations and pointed out that the Landslide Atlas of India compiled by the National Remote Sensing Centre and ISRO ranks North Goa and South Goa at 111th and 112th, respectively.
On the day that Monserrate exuded confidence, heavy downpours continued to batter parts of the State with hinterland areas bearing the brunt of a deluge -- low-lying villages in Mopa like Kasarvarne, Chandel, Nigel, Warkhand and others. The flooded Kadashi Mopa River cut off people residing in that area with flood water entering houses, sinking roads and hitting normal life.
Bicholim was the worst hit with water entering houses as all rivers and nullahs overflowed. Fire personnel rushed to the scene and evacuated 25 people to safer places. The market area was inaccessible because water entered every residence and shop. In Sanquelim the scene was equally bad. Down Sanguem the swell in the river caused extensive damage to plantations. The Paroda bridge was submerged and adjoining roads went underwater. Curchorem MLA mentioned in the Assembly how he evacuated four families in the dead of the night. Ponda and Dharbandora too had their moments of distress.
Nature’s fury was unleashed on parts of Goa ” a two-day spell of heavy rainfall was enough to expose the vulnerabilities, and a large part of the landscape stood exposed and vulnerable. The confidence that the Disaster Management Authority would handle Wayanad-like situations falls flat as the common man struggled with tension running high and water dangerously rising. Perhaps, those saying “all in control” have no clue of being marooned in knee-deep water.
Moreover, Panaji, better known as the Smart City and the home city of Monserrate, has been itself struggling with newly-built roads flooding and drains failing to channel water. There are trees collapsing and people are finding it risky to navigate the streets with large trees looming overhead. The Forest Department has undertaken a survey of trees in Panaji, but the report is still awaited. Data reveals that the State has at least 14 places witnessing frequent flooding, landslides and tree falls.
Let aside a Wayanad-like situation, the State machinery is not even equipped to handle the situation that Goa is currently facing. And it’s not getting any better over the years. Disaster management cannot be the eventual solution; rather, taking damage-control steps would be the way forward.
The Centre has issued a fifth draft notification to declare over 56,800 square kilometres of the Western Ghats across six States, including Goa and 13 villages in Wayanad, as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) and has invited suggestions and objections within 60 days. Steps such as these would go a long way in containing the damage being inflicted upon natural resources.
Legislators in Goa must refrain from giving a false sense of comfort when the situation is seemingly and increasingly going out of hand and take proactive steps to protect the environment.
