THE GOAN
PANAJI
“Water, water everywhere, yet there may not be a drop to drink.” For a State like Goa, known for its rivers, streams, lakes and abundant monsoon showers, the prospect of water scarcity may seem unlikely. Yet, a nearly 32% monsoon rainfall deficit has raised concerns about the availability of water in the months ahead. The challenge is not just how much water Goa receives, but how effectively it stores, distributes and protects this resource. As the dry season approaches and the threat of El Niño adds to concerns over rainfall, the focus is shifting to the State’s preparedness, the pressure on existing water sources and the need to make every drop count.
Supply schemes
The Water Resources Department (WRD) pointed to additional schemes aimed at supporting water supply. “The auto supply schemes have already been commissioned. There is the 60 MLD Kushawati scheme, which we have undertaken, and a pumping scheme at Sal,” the department said. It added that the WRD Minister had assured adequate water supply until August 2027. The department maintains that Goa has sufficient raw water reserves for the coming dry months, though the extent to which these schemes will ease pressure on existing sources remains to be seen.
Drinking Water Minister Subhash Phal Dessai has said the government is exploring the revival of abandoned streams and the use of water accumulated in mining pits to strengthen supply. Echoing the need to prepare for the months ahead, a Water Resources Department (WRD) official said there is currently no shortage but cautioned against complacency. “It is always better to control the supply now and have it in portions now than starve later,” the official said, urging people to use water judiciously. Calling the situation a shitkauni, or warning from nature, the official said it should prompt people to be more mindful of their water use.
Rainwater harvesting
Yashodan Heblekar and Dr Jyoti Heblekar, co-founders of Mystic Woods Butterfly Park, also highlighted the need for conservation; they began rainwater harvesting when they built their house 22 years ago. “We knew that all future social issues are going to be centred on the scarcity of water, including food production, industrial production and hospitality services, all of which depend critically on water supply,” they said, recalling how they recognised the importance of water conservation early on. The Heblekars also questioned how smaller water bodies are managed, arguing that allowing private ownership could encourage better care.
Protecting resources
While individual efforts matter, Wency Mendes, an independent researcher and curator of Goa Water Stories, said water security also depends on how the State manages and protects its resources. “Goa’s water crisis is not simply about a shortage of rainfall; it is about how we manage, distribute and protect water,” he said. Mendes called for authorities to draw on local wisdom while framing policy, with mandatory rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment and reuse, protection of groundwater recharge zones and stricter action against pollution. “Water security must begin with protecting the ecosystems that sustain us,” he said, cautioning that conservation cannot mean asking citizens to save water while allowing unsustainable development.
Impact on farming
Former Agriculture Director Nevil Alphonso remarked that the rainfall deficit may have consequences for farming during the long dry months. Paddy cultivation in rain-dependent upland areas, along with rabi vegetables, young fruit-bearing plants and livestock, could be affected, resulting in lower yields and reduced farmers’ incomes. Alphonso said the government has taken steps to monitor water availability, explore storage through bhandaras on rivers and use water accumulated in abandoned mining pits. Advisories promoting short-duration crops in water-stressed areas are also useful, he remarked, but pointed out that they required “proper planning, timely implementation and coordination among departments”. He called for a long-term water-management plan focused on rainwater harvesting, restoring traditional water sources, protecting wetlands, repairing leaking pipelines and reusing treated wastewater. Farmers should also be encouraged to adopt micro-irrigation, mulching and efficient irrigation schedules. “The rainfall deficit should be a wake-up call,” he said, stressing that government action and community participation must go hand in hand to secure water for future generations.
Goa’s rainfall deficit has brought the question of water security into sharper focus. While the government points to existing reserves and planned schemes, the challenge ahead will be to manage water responsibly, protect natural sources, and ensure that conservation becomes a shared responsibility before shortages become more severe.
