MAPUSA
Water levels in four of the seven key dams in the State have dropped below 50 per cent.
Data provided by the Water Resources Department (WRD) indicates that the water level in the Selaulim dam, which supplies water to much of South Goa, has decreased to 49 per cent, while the Anjunem reservoir, which serves Sattari and parts of Bicholim taluka, stands at 38 per cent.
Similarly, the Amthane dam, supplying water to Bardez, Pernem, and parts of Bicholim, has seen its water level plummet to 37 per cent. The Panchwadi, Gaunem, Chapoli, and Tillari dams report water levels at 39%, 56%, 58%, and 94% respectively. Notably, there have been no reports of water shortages in Bardez or other areas of North Goa.
‘No cause for concern'
WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar has reassured the public that there is no cause for alarm, emphasising that water levels in all seven dams across the State are relatively consistent compared to levels observed in the past two years.
Shirodkar highlighted that the current water levels are notably better than those recorded last year at this time. “The available water resources are projected to meet the state's requirements until the end of May. The Selaulim dam can give us water up to June while Anjunem dam can provide water up to mid-June,” Shirodkar said.
Reflecting on past challenges, Shirodkar recalled instances from the previous year when the Anjunem dam faced a minor shortage towards the end of June, prompting the transfer of water from the Selaulim reservoir to manage the situation. The Tillari reservoir in Dodamarg, Maharashtra, stands as an exception with a raw water level storage of over 90 per cent.
However, the State has been unable to utilise the water from the Tillari dam to its full capacity due to various reasons. Shirodkar elaborated on the limitations in utilising water from the Tillari dam, citing the deteriorating condition of its canals, which are nearly three decades old and require substantial repairs.
Despite concerns over dropping water levels, the WRD minister remains confident in the state's ability to manage the situation effectively.
