Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: Continuous heavy rainfall over the past week has caused significant damage to agricultural infrastructure and produce in Canacona taluka, with State-awardee and progressive farmer Prasad Velip from Amone-Dabel among the worst affected.
Velip reported that floodwaters from a nearby overflowing river entered his farmhouse two nights ago, washing away a large stock of betel nuts. The flooding also damaged essential farm infrastructure, including plastic pipes, drip irrigation lines, and a water pump machine. He estimates losses running into several thousands of rupees.
Velip blamed the authorities for failing to clear silt from the river, which he said worsened the flooding and affected not just him but several other farmers in the area.
Former Khotigao Sarpanch Umesh alias Daya Gaonkar also confirmed that the barbed wire fencing along the riverbank in Khotigao has been washed away. Additionally, Vishnu Gaonkar’s sugarcane fields in Sukashet and Jagdish Velip’s fencing have suffered extensive damage due to the relentless downpour.
Farmers have urged the government to carry out urgent flood mitigation and river desilting measures to prevent further losses.
