Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, Jun 19: Goa currently has sufficient drinking water reserves to meet demand for about one month despite a prolonged lull in monsoon rainfall, Water Supply Minister Subhash Phal Desai has said.
Speaking, the minister said water levels in several reservoirs across the state have dropped significantly due to inadequate rainfall. However, he assured residents that there is no immediate cause for concern.
“There is enough water to fulfil the requirement for a month. There is no need to panic,” Phal Desai said, adding that the government would issue strict advisories to prevent wastage and ensure the available reserves last until rainfall activity resumes.
The minister said the Water Supply Department would soon hold a meeting with Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar to review the status of water storage in dams and reservoirs across the state.
While noting that the government has strengthened the water distribution network to prevent shortages, he cautioned that continued dry weather could pose challenges in the future.
According to official data, the Selaulim dam, which supplies water to South Goa, Kushavati district and parts of North Goa, is currently at 27 per cent capacity. The reservoir has a drawing capacity of 280 million litres per day (MLD).
The Anjunem dam in North Goa’s Sattari taluka has seen its storage level fall to 9.9 per cent. The project, located near the Goa-Karnataka border, has a drawing capacity of 50 MLD and supplies water through treatment plants at Padoshe and Dattawadi.
The Mhaisal dam near Shiroda in Ponda taluka is currently at 19 per cent capacity and has a drawing capacity ranging between 10 and 14 MLD.
The minister said the Chapoli dam in Canacona taluka continues to have adequate water reserves, ensuring there will be no shortage in the region. He also noted that the Amthane reservoir, which supplies water to Bardez taluka, maintains a healthy stock.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a revival of rainfall activity in Goa by next weekend, offering hope of replenishing the state’s water reserves.