BICHOLIM.
Heavy rains in and around Bicholim taluka forced authorities to open all four gates of the Anjunem dam on Monday.
The heavy rains led to flood-like situation in Sakhali area, even as the WRD managed to keep the situation under control by pumping out water with the help of four lift irrigation water pumps. Some interior areas in Keri-Sattari were submerged.
According to reports, torrential rains were recorded at Virdi Ghat and surrounding areas and Anjunem dam water catchment area, due to which the water level at the dam rose to its highest 93.2 metres, prompting the Anjunem dam water authorities to release water by opening all four gates in the morning.
“Due to heavy rains on Monday, the water level at the dam increased to its maximum, prompting us to release water,” informed dam engineer G F Powade and added that all four gates were closed in the evening after the water level receded.
Heavy rains in the Ghat region led to flooding in Ghoteli in Keri and other surrounding areas, even as no loss of human lives and property was reported.
Heavy rains also affected Sakhali area, as the water level of Valwanti and Kashti rivers increased after water from Ghat region entered into both the rivers. The water started entering the Sakhali market and flood-like situation was about to be created in Sakhali.
However, alertness by WRD avoided further danger. The WRD authorities immediately started all four lift irrigation pumps installed at Valwanti river bank near Sakhali market to reject the flow of water back into the river, avoiding the water from entering the market area.
WRD engineer Dnyneshwar Salelkar said WRD started all four pumps to divert the water back into the river, due to which the water stopped from entering the market.
Sakhali MLA Dr Pramod Sawant along with WRD engineer K P Naik rushed to Sakhali market area to take stock of the situation and after finding that water was diverted back into the river, expressed satisfaction.
K P Naik said the water level in the river rose due to heavy rains in Ghat area.
Dr Pramod Sawant has called upon villagers not to panic as the situation is under control. Meanwhile, flood and emergency cell of Bicholim taluka has asked people to avoid going near river areas for next two days to avoid danger.
