MAPUSA
With most of Goa’s dams filled to capacity following the heavy rainfall over the past week, the Water Resources Department (WRD) has been releasing water in a controlled manner to maintain safe levels.
Authorities have assured that there is no immediate risk of flooding despite swollen rivers and waterlogging in several parts of the State.
WRD Chief Engineer Dynaneshwar Salelkar confirmed that major reservoirs – including Anjunem, Selaulim, Chapoli, etc. – have been overflowing for nearly two months.
Even the Amthane dam, which had been deliberately emptied for gate repairs, has begun to store significant volumes of water due to the recent downpour.
“We have an engineer permanently stationed at every dam site to monitor levels and release excess water in a controlled manner from time to time. Although it has been raining for the last few days, there is no risk of sudden release of water in the next 24 to 48 hours due to heavy inflows,” Salelkar said.
The WRD chief stressed that the department follows a set protocol whenever water is released. Local residents are first informed and warnings are issued to nearby villages. The department also coordinates with the police, disaster management authorities, and local self-governing bodies to disseminate information.
“We ensure that the villagers near the site are duly informed and warned about the situation,” Salelkar said, adding that controlled discharges are carried out strictly as required.
Goa has received intense rainfall in the past week, leading to waterlogging in several low-lying areas and causing rivers, particularly in Bicholim taluka, to swell above danger marks. In some places, water overflowed onto roads and nearby fields.
Despite these challenges, officials maintain that the situation is under control, with continuous monitoring of dam levels and measured water releases to avoid any sudden flooding downstream.
