The FLOOD SCARE…
* It may be recalled that last year following the release of Tillari water, the entire village of Sal and its surrounding areas were partly submerged. Several houses were submerged causing huge loss of property and even some cattle were carried along with the water.
The ordeal did not stop here but after the floods from heavy rains, septic tanks of some residents of Sal village were filled with flood water. The foul smell emanating from these tanks through the village caused inconvenience to residents.
QUOTES…
“The last two years flooding was due to heavy rainfall and it was something unusual. This year we would try to hold the water right at Tillari dam so that risk of flooding at the downside areas is minimised.”
Pramod Badami,
WRD Chief Engineer
“I have deputed one motor boat at Village Panchayat Sal and also arranged 10 life jackets and other equipment through Captain of Ports which are kept at office of Mamlatdar Bicholim. Sufficient life guards are kept on standby for rescue mission in case of floods. I have directed WRD officials to closely monitor the water level at Tillari irrigation Dam in order to avert flooding and also water will be released in small quantity from Tillari dam once it is nearing its maximum capacity to avert flooding”
Pravinjay Pandit,
Bicholim Mamlatdar
Goemkarponn desk
BICHOLIM: Residents from Sal and surrounding areas are reeling under the constant fear of floods even as they feel that the authorities are not doing much to control floods this year.
Two years down the lane, residents feel that not much has been done to control floods in the area. Amit Parab, a shopkeeper who was worse affected but the authorities did not do much to help him.
“Since last two years, we are reeling under the threat of floods and two years back my entire shop was submerged under water. I had requested for compensation but I did not get anything.” Parab claimed.
He feels that the government should take appropriate measures to control floods. “The main cause of floods is the water released from Tillari dam and till the time there is proper co-ordination between the Goa government and Maharashtra government the problem would not be solved,” Parab claims.
There is also demand that the Tillari dam authorities should let out water as and when the dam gets filled rather than waiting for it to fill till the brim. “Every week they should let out the water rather than waiting for the last minute as was done some two years back and it flooded the low lying areas” Deelip Desai from Sal claims.
The government this year has kept a boat in Sal as a precautionary measure.
It may be recalled that last year following the release of Tillari water, the entire village of Sal and its surrounding areas were partly submerged. Several houses were submerged causing huge loss of property and even some cattle were carried along with the water.
The ordeal did not stop here but after the floods from heavy rains, septic tanks of some residents of Sal village were filled with flood water. The foul smell emanating from these tanks through the village caused inconvenience to residents.
After villagers requested government authorities’ help to resolve this issue, Bicholim mamlatdar, Pravinjay Pandit, directed Bicholim Municipal Corporation (BMC) authorities to dispatch tankers to pump out flood water from the septic tanks. He had also directed the Bicholim community health centre authorities to conduct a medical camp at the panchayat hall.
WRD Chief Engineer, Pramod Badami when contacted said, that there is no need for the people of Sal to fear.
“The last two years flooding was due to heavy rainfall and it was something unusual. This year we would try to hold the water right at Tillari dam so that risk of flooding at the downside areas is minimised.” Badami claimed.
He told that they are constantly monitoring the Dam water and the Tillari authorities would inform them well in advance if they are to release water from the dam.
“There is nothing to fear as the floods would not be repeated. Last two years were exceptions and it will not happen again” Badami expressed his confidence.
When contacted Bicholim mamlatdar, Pravinjay Pandit told Goemkarponn that he has taken precautions to avoid any untoward incident at Sal.
“I have deputed one motor boat at Village Panchayat Sal and also arranged 10 life jackets and other equipment through Captain of Ports which are kept at office of Mamlatdar Bicholim. Sufficient life guards are kept on standby for rescue mission in case of floods. I have directed WRD officials to closely monitor the water level at Tillari Irrigation Dam in order to avert flooding and also water will be released in small quantity from Tillari dam once it is nearing its maximum capacity to avert flooding” he told.
