Panaji: Goa has been experiencing weak monsoon activity ever since its arrival in the state, leading to a mounting rainfall deficit of 45%. This slow activity has resulted in water levels dipping further in the state’s reservoirs. Usually, by mid-June, water levels in dams see revival.Water levels in Selaulim, which supplies water to most of South Goa, are presently at 28%. Officials, though, maintain that this water is sufficient to meet the requirements till late June. Sources said that a review of the water availability is inevitable, and a meeting is expected this week to assess the situation.By the first week of July, the Selaulim reservoir, in a normal rainfall year, reaches its full level, with water overflowing from its duckbill spillway. But this year, Goa is witnessing a situation like 2023, when monsoon arrival was delayed past mid-June and water levels in reservoirs dipped to concerningly low levels.In Anjunem reservoir in Sattari taluka, the water level has currently been recorded at 11% of capacity. Earlier in the month, locals had raised concerns, reporting foul smell emanating from drinking water supplied to them.Sattari is one of the regions that experiences the heaviest rainfall in the state, but water level in the dam has seen no revival yet this year.Water levels in the Amthane reservoir are at 52%, not because of replenishment from rainfall but with water being pumped from the river into the dam. The reservoir supplies raw water to meet drinking water needs for nearly all of Bardez taluka and parts of Bicholim.Tillari reservoir in Dodamarg, Maharashtra, which serves as a supplementary source for Bardez taluka, has seen its water levels at 31%.Water in the Panchwadi reservoir is currently at 20%. The dam water is utilised in Shiroda and surrounding areas.Water levels in Goa’s reservoirs are at their lowest levels from mid-May until June, just before the arrival of the monsoon. Around this time, the WRD closely monitors the release of raw water from the reservoirs, and the flow of water for irrigation is controlled if required.Only in Canacona, the water levels in the reservoirs are at desirable levels, with 41% storage in Chapoli and 44% in Gaunem.
