The Chapoli Dam, the lifeline of Canacona taluka, has faced acute water shortage in its reservoir, threatening water supply to people in Canacona.
According to sources, the water stored in the reservoir of Chapoli dam has dropped below 0.40 MCM, which is below the dead storage of 0.49 MCM (49 Hamts).
Vast tracts of the Chapoli dam reservoir have dried up, which normally has a storage capacity of 1122 mm, when the dam attains 38.75 RL, a gross storage capacity of 9.98 MCM (million cubic meters) or 998.24 Hamts.
According to WRD sources, the present storage of 400 mm is enough to continue regular water supply only for 15 days. Thereafter, water supply can be extended for another another month by strictly enforcing restrictions in the supply, in case monsoon is further delayed in the State.
At present, the dam water is not released for irrigation purposes, but only sourced for treatment to the Water Treatment Plant at Shristhal for further supply to the domestic and commercial consumers in Canacona.
Concerned over a possible water shortage in Canacona, people have demanded de-siltation of the reservoir to increase storage capacity of the dam, to prevent such a situation in future even if monsoons are delayed.
“The dam presently has a maximum height of 25.5 metres and spans 760 metres across, and its live storage capacity sits at 8.76 MCM or 876.58 (Hamts). The de-siltation to a depth of at least 3 metres will enormously help to increase the storage capacity of this dam, which is the life line of Canconcars,” stated Shubham Komarpant, a social worker and youth leader of Canacona.
“A hotel in the taluka is getting water supply through a dedicated pipeline laid from the STP Shristhal, and hence there will be no dearth of supply to these hotels. It’s the only common man in the taluka who will be affected if further restrictions are imposed on supply of water from Chapoli dam,” he said.
