MAPUSA
With water levels in the Anjunem dam falling to a critical 10 per cent amid delayed monsoon rains, the Water Resources Department (WRD) has activated contingency measures to ensure uninterrupted water supply, Minister for Water Resources Subhash Shirodkar said on Monday.
Addressing reporters after the department's weekly review meeting, Shirodkar sought to reassure the public that Goa has sufficient water reserves to meet drinking water requirements for at least the next month, even as authorities closely monitor the evolving situation.
As part of the emergency plan, the WRD is prepared to begin pumping between 40 and 50 million litres per day (MLD) of water from the Pissurlem mining pit to the Podocem Water Treatment Plant by Wednesday or Thursday, if required.
"The water available in Anjunem is sufficient for the next 15 to 20 days. However, we are prepared to draw water from the Pissurlem mining pit and supply it to the Padocem treatment plant to ensure there is no disruption in drinking water supply," Shirodkar said.
The minister said irrigation releases from the Anjunem dam have been temporarily stopped to conserve available water. The Podocem Water Treatment Plant currently supplies around 80 MLD of water to consumers in North Goa.
Shirodkar added that the Tillari canal system remains another alternative source and water can be diverted to the treatment plant if monsoon rainfall does not improve over the next fortnight.
The minister also said that water storage in the Selaulim dam remains comfortable and is expected to meet demand for another one to one-and-a-half months.
With concerns growing over delayed rainfall and its impact on water availability, the government is also pursuing long-term solutions to strengthen the state's water security. Shirodkar informed that the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for proposed mini dams at Kajumol and Charavane is currently underway.
He said these projects are expected to enhance water storage capacity and help address recurring water scarcity issues in the future.
The WRD is expected to review the situation regularly over the coming days as the State awaits stronger monsoon activity.
