Panaji, Aug 20 (TNN): After a low pressure area formed in the Bay of Bengal led to heavy rainfall in some parts of Goa over the last few days, four of the five reservoirs in state were found to be filled to capacity. This year, the reservoirs have filled up faster than usual. Normally, they reach their peak only in September, when the monsoon season in Goa nears its end.

The state received excess rainfall in the first month of its arrival itself. Since early July, the Selaulim water reservoir in Sanguem taluka has been 100% full. Selaulim caters to the drinking water needs of towns and cities like Margao, Vasco, Quepem and Sanguem, as well as the South Goa hinterland. Chapoli dam, which supplies water to Canacona, was about 84% full on July 19, but, exactly a month later, is filled to the brim.

While Panchwadi reservoir is 99% full, the water level has risen to 98% of capacity of the Amthane reservoir. Panchwadi reservoir in Ponda supplies water to nearby villages and Amthane dam, located in Bardez, supplies water for irrigation as well as raw water supply to the Assonora water treatment plant. The dam in Anjunem was 90% full on Sunday.

The Anjunem irrigation project, in Sattari taluka, relies on a tributary of the Valvanti river under the Mhadei basin. Anjunem dam has seen the sharpest increase in water levels since June by nearly 20m. Four dams in Goa have an in-built mechanism to release excess water and villagers living in nearby areas are alerted before the water is released. Only in case of Anjunem dam, the gates have to be opened by the water resources department.