In the wake of rising temperatures, the Goa State Disaster Management Authority (Goa SDMA) is taking necessary Preparedness and Mitigation Measures for Heatwave in the State. Goa SDMA has notified the Goa Heatwave Action Plan 2024 – Prevention and Mitigation of Impacts and circulated the same with all concerned Departments to ensure its necessary implementation for the safeguarding of the lives of the general public.
The Heatwave Action Plan-2024 has already been uploaded on the official websites of Goa SDMA (www.sdma.goa.gov.in) and DDMAs (North Goa and South Goa). The government has also appointed Nodal Officers from each Line Department for Disaster Management to enhance the interdepartmental coordination among Disaster Management Authorities at the State and District levels.
Even though this news was shockingly being absorbed by the Goans, there came another news the water stock in three out of a total of seven dams in Goa has dipped below the 50 per cent mark, indicating that the situation may become difficult during the ongoing summer season.
The water level of two of these dams has gone below the 40 per cent mark, as per the data released by the state Water Resources Department.
However, four other dams are well above the 50 per cent water stock mark with one of them currently holding more than 91 per cent stock, it said.
Anjunem reservoir, which meets the water requirement of Sattari and parts of Bicholim taluka in North Goa, is filled with 62.6 per cent water, while Chapoli reservoir, which meets the water requirement of Canacona taluka, has 59.4 per cent stock, the statement said. Gaunem reservoir has 56.6 per cent stock left, while Tillari is filled with 91.1 per cent water storage, it said.
The rising temperature and water shortage
With the rising temperatures and the increasing tourist footfalls for summer holidays, Goa could face a major crisis.
Even though the government of Goa says “Har Ghar Jal” or 24×7 water available in Goa there are many villages in the State where people thirst for drinking water supply even during peak monsoons. So imagine what would be their fate in such weather conditions.
Of course, there is nothing much the government of the day can do as this is a natural occurrence.
Goa sees a maximum of 37 degrees Celsius in peak summer and the heat is unbearable if there is no water the locals are up for a testing time.
The only silver lining is there are forecasts of showers from April 7 to 9. Hopefully, it is not a slight drizzle and go as this could make matters even worse.
Polls amidst heatwave…
Even as the country enters into a gruelling seven-phase poll to elect a new Parliament, the weather will not be benign as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday forecast extreme heat conditions over most parts of the country from April through June, with Central and Western India feeling the maximum impact.
Moreover, the number and frequency of heatwaves are also projected to be above normal this year over the next three months.
“Ten to 20 days of heatwave are expected in different parts of the country, compared to a normal of four to eight days this year,” IMD Director-General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra told reporters in a briefing on Monday.
