Ahead of summer, water levels in North Goa reservoirs lower than last year

Panaji: As the summer is ready to set in, the reservoirs of raw water in the state are presently filled between 30% and 70% of their capacity.The Selaulim reservoir, that caters to the drinking needs of most of South Goa, is currently 70% full.

In North Goa, the water level in the Amthane reservoir stands only at 34%. Amthane supplies raw water for treatment and supply to Bardez and parts of Bicholim, the most densely populated region of the state.This raw water in Amthane has to suffice the area through two summer months and beyond, until the arrival of the monsoon in the first week of June.Similarly, water levels in Anjunem in Sattari have been recorded at 54%.

These levels are significantly lower than those recorded during the same period last year. Amthane was 50% full during the corresponding period last year and water levels in Anjunem stood at 66%.The new Sal barrage was expected to be ready this 2026, but is not likely to be commissioned until the end of May and possibly be ready in June.This barrage was to provide 250MLD additional raw water for supply to Bardez. But sources said that the delay in obtaining NOCs from land owners has been a hurdle in commissioning the new project.

The Sal barrage project is being constructed at a cost of around Rs 300 crore on the Chapora in Sal village in Bicholim. Work on the project has been going on for nearly three years now and it is 70% complete. The state aimed to inaugurate the project in May last year but it has faced significant delays.In these circumstances, the state will largely rely on the Tillari reservoir, where water levels currently stand at 60%, to meet the requirements of Bardez.Ample pre-monsoon showers and timely arrival of the monsoon will be crucial to ensure sufficient supply to North Goa through the summer.Besides Selaulim, the Chapoli and Gaunem reservoirs, which meet requirements of Canacona taluka, are 69% and 71% full, respectively.The Panchawadi dam, which caters to Shiroda and surrounding areas, has water filled to 60% of its capacity.