Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Claiming that Goa is “sleepwalking into a climate crisis”, Goa Forward Party President and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai on Tuesday questioned the State Government’s preparedness to tackle the potential impact of a Super El Niño, warning that the consequences could be severe for lives, livelihoods and the environment.
Sardesai said that while the government remains focused on organising celebrations, publicity campaigns and large-scale public events, an impending climate threat is not receiving the attention it deserves.
Referring to warnings that a Super El Niño could affect large parts of India, including Goa, Sardesai cautioned that the state could face water shortages, crop failures, forest fires, heatwaves, declining groundwater levels, increased power demand, reduced fish catches and serious public health challenges.
“Goa is sleepwalking into a climate crisis while the government appears preoccupied with events and optics. The threat is real and demands immediate preparedness,” Sardesai said.
The Fatorda MLA questioned whether the state has any comprehensive preparedness strategy in place to deal with prolonged dry conditions and extreme weather events.
He called on the government to immediately conduct a statewide assessment of water availability and reservoir levels, formulate drought contingency plans for farmers, strengthen forest fire response systems and ensure drinking water security in vulnerable areas.
Sardesai also demanded a dedicated heat action plan, including public cooling centres, emergency medical response mechanisms and preparedness at hospitals and primary health centres to handle heat-related illnesses.
Highlighting the risks to coastal communities, he urged authorities to develop measures to protect fishermen and address climate-related disruptions to the fisheries sector.
He further advocated groundwater conservation initiatives, rainwater harvesting programmes and the creation of district-level climate emergency cells under the disaster management framework.
Sardesai also called for restrictions on large outdoor events involving children during periods of extreme heat, arguing that public safety should take precedence over record-setting exercises and mass gatherings.
“A Super El Niño is not a political issue. It is a threat to lives, livelihoods and Goa’s future. Governance is about anticipating crises, not reacting after disaster strikes,” he said.
The remarks come amid growing concerns over changing weather patterns and forecasts indicating below-normal rainfall in parts of the country, raising fears that climate-related stresses could intensify in the months ahead.
