MAPUSA
The tail end of the monsoon has proved to be a blessing for Goa’s water security.
Even as the southwest monsoon begins to wind down, the late September showers have topped up the State’s reservoirs, leaving almost all major dams at healthy levels between 90 to 100 percent of capacity “ a reassuring sign that Goa’s drinking, irrigation and industrial water needs will be comfortably met until the next monsoon.
The most striking example is the Selaulim dam in South Goa, the State’s largest reservoir, which is currently at 101 percent capacity.
Serving as the lifeline for Salcete, Mormugao, Quepem and Sanguem talukas, Selaulim had already started overflowing as early as June 25 “ nearly two weeks ahead of the usual monsoon schedule, thanks to an early burst of rain.
In the north, the Anjunem dam is at a robust 93 percent, with authorities having had to carefully regulate its water discharge after it touched full capacity as early as two months ago.
The Amthane dam, which caters to Bardez and parts of Bicholim, is the only exception.
Standing at 51 percent, its lower level is not a sign of deficit but of design “ the Water Resources Department (WRD) had deliberately drained it earlier this year to carry out spillway gate repairs.
Meanwhile, the smaller but equally vital reservoirs across the State are showing excellent levels.
The Chapoli and Gaunem dams in Canacona are both at 99 percent, having overflowed briefly in late June, while the Panchwadi dam that supplies Shiroda and surrounding villages remains steady at 99 percent after brimming in July.
Across the border in Maharashtra, the Tillari dam, which plays a crucial role in augmenting Goa’s raw water supply for both drinking and agriculture, is overflowing at an impressive 97 percent of its designed live storage.
Its strong levels promise a much-needed boost for irrigation and farm productivity in the coming months.
With the India Meteorological Department forecasting light to moderate showers across both districts till the end of September, the replenishment of these reservoirs comes as a timely assurance.
Officials of the WRD are confident that the State’s water stock will comfortably last until the next monsoon, offering much-needed stability for households, farmers and industries alike.
