PANAJI
Over the past week, heavy rains in Goa have caused flood-like conditions in several areas. One of the most affected places is the village of Guirim in North Goa. The heavy rainfall has submerged fields, roads, and homes, leading to significant losses for local farmers.
Dasharat Madgaonkar, a farmer in Guirim, has been farming for nearly 50 years. He described the situation as the worst he has ever seen. His fields were underwater for almost a week, destroying his crops and damaging the soil's fertility. He blamed the floods on the lack of proper drainage systems and landfilling activities that have blocked the natural flow of water. Dasharat is now facing deep financial losses and is demanding compensation from local authorities and the government.
Ramesh Mahadev Insulkar, another farmer, lost around three acres of land to the floods. He explained that the heavy rains, combined with poor road construction and drainage systems, caused the water to back up and flood the fields. Ramesh also criticized the contractors for not properly planning the drainage systems, which led to the water being obstructed and causing floods. He highlighted that the merging of the Tar and Bodginim rivers, combined with extensive landfilling in the area, contributed to the flooding as there is no proper way left for the water to flow out like before. Like Dasharat, Ramesh is seeking compensation or help for the losses faced by the farmers.
Local Panch member Shubham Rao Dessai acknowledged the regular flooding in Guirim. He said that despite efforts to clean gutters and plan for heavy rains, the intensity of the recent rainfall overwhelmed their preparations. Dessai admitted that landfilling, which blocks the natural flow of water, is a significant factor in the flooding.
Local MLA Kedar Naik also agreed on the issue of landfilling contributing to the floods. He promised to look into the matter and address the concerns raised by the farmers.
The floods have left many farmers in Guirim devastated, just as the farming season was beginning. The heavy rains and resulting floods have caused immense hardship, with farmers losing crops and facing financial ruin. There is a pressing need for better infrastructure and planning to prevent such disasters in the future.
Farmers and the local authorities (panchayat) are calling for immediate action to ensure that drainage systems are improved, landfilling is regulated, and proper measures are taken to manage the natural flow of water. With the monsoon season expected to intensify, these steps are crucial to prevent a repeat of the current situation.
