MAPUSA
Even after authorities managed to open the tricky gate of Amthane dam and restore raw water supply to the Assonora treatment plant, frustration among the locals continued to mount as drinking water supply was yet to normalise in several parts of Bardez even on the fifth day of the crisis.
Several areas in Bardez remained dry, with residents struggling to meet their daily water needs.
The crisis, triggered by a breach in the Tillari canal, left almost all of Mapusa without water for four days, forcing people to depend on water tankers.
Those living in tail-end areas of the PWD pipeline, including Porvorim, Siolim and Saligao, suffered the most, while low-lying areas like Tivim, Aldona and Calangute continued receiving water.
In a desperate effort, engineers from the Water Resources Department, assisted by Navy divers, finally managed to open the jammed Amthane dam gate early Wednesday.
This allowed raw water to flow to the Assonora treatment plant, restoring a steady supply by the afternoon.
However, PWD officials were quick to temper expectations, stating that full normalcy would take at least two more days.
“Water supply from the treatment plant is steady, but we cannot distribute it to all areas in a single day. It will take at least two days to restore normal flow,” a senior PWD official explained.
But residents, already exasperated, were in no mood to be patient. Calls for water tankers continued despite the breakthrough, as many still had no water in their taps.
“For four days, we did not get a drop of water. This is the fifth day, and nothing has changed. It was hell for us! Do you think we can trust the PWD and the government after this?” fumed Reshma Naik, a resident of Duler, Mapusa.
While officials claim the worst is over, the lingering shortage has left residents seething.
The mismanagement and prolonged disruption of such a crucial service have only deepened public distrust in the authorities’ ability to handle the crisis.
