EARLY WARNING SIGNS: Water accumulates on both sides of the flood-prone Guirim road following recent pre-monsoon showers, raising fears of severe flooding during the monsoon season. Photo by Agnelo Pereira
Even before the monsoon has fully set in, waterlogging on the busy Guirim road near the well-known government school and the road leading to the Monte de Guirim School has once again raised fears of severe flooding during the rainy season.
The two stretches, notorious for getting submerged under knee-deep water during heavy rains every year, witnessed accumulation of water on both sides of the road following the season’s first pre-monsoon showers, leaving residents worried that little has changed despite repeated complaints over the years.
Locals said the early flooding signs expose the failure of the Guirim Panchayat and authorities concerned to undertake adequate pre-monsoon preparedness works in the village.
Overgrown roadside vegetation, clogged drains and blocked water outlets were clearly visible along the stretches, preventing rainwater from flowing freely and resulting in stagnation along the roadway.
Residents fear that if immediate corrective measures are not undertaken, even moderate rainfall in the coming weeks could once again paralyse traffic and inconvenience school students, commuters, and local businesses.
“The situation is exactly the same every year. Once heavy rains begin, the entire road gets flooded, making it dangerous for motorists and schoolchildren. The first showers themselves have exposed the poor condition of the drainage system,” said a local resident.
Former Guirim Sarpanch Fondu Naik alleged that the village panchayat has failed to carry out basic pre-monsoon works this year.
“Through the efforts of local MLA Kedar Naik, the Water Resources Department has cleaned the major nullahs, which is an annual exercise. But the smaller drains and roadside channels have been completely neglected,” Naik said.
He warned that unless the smaller drains are desilted and water outlets cleared immediately, Guirim could once again witness major flooding during heavy downpours.
“The panchayat has failed to undertake any meaningful pre-monsoon work. None of the roadside drains have been cleaned. In fact, no tender has even been issued for carrying out pre-monsoon works in the village,” Naik alleged.
Residents also pointed out that stagnant water along the roadside could lead to further problems, including mosquito breeding and deterioration of road conditions during the peak monsoon period.
The Guirim road serves as an important route connecting several interior areas and is heavily used by school buses, office-goers and residents on a daily basis. During previous monsoons, flooding on the stretch had led to major traffic disruptions and difficulties for pedestrians.
Efforts to contact Guirim Sarpanch Kalpesh Naik for his response were unsuccessful.
