Panaji: With Goa’s monsoon season set to end with a nearly 32% deficit, the water resources department (WRD) has initiated measures to conserve the storage in Goa’s reservoirs. Minister for water resources Subhash Shirodkar told TOI that the state has halted supply to Verna and Mormugao talukas from Selaulim reservoir, and has begun alternatively lifting water from River Kushavati in Quepem.“For the first time in the history of Goa, we have stopped utilising water from Selaulim canal and the 25 to 30 MLD daily water requirement in Verna and Mormugao is being lifted from the river Kushavati in Quepem. It will help us conserve water in the Selaulim reservoir,” said Shirodkar.He also said that limited water is being released for irrigation at present.“We are also cautiously releasing the water required for irrigation. We are releasing water only where the land has been cultivated, we cannot just release water indiscriminately. We have not released water from Selaulim canal because there is moisture in the soil in the region. We will release the water only as per demand from farmers,” said Shirodkar.Though the state’s reservoirs are filled to capacity, they struggled to reach full levels this year, attaining capacity much later due to less monsoonal rainfall.The water has to last Goa till the next monsoon arrives in June 2027.Goa depends on post-monsoonal rainfall to delay release of water for irrigation, as these showers help keep the soil sufficiently moist. Last year, post-monsoon showers continued till Nov, while the chances of such a situation appear bleak as of now this year.The minister told TOI that the over 400 bandharas on rivers were also closed on Sept 25.“I had given instructions to WRD to close all bandharas by Sept 25 as a precautionary measure, as there has been less rainfall. There seem to be less chances of receiving rainfall in the post-monsoon season. Normally, the bandharas were closed around Nov. I called for a review on the closure of bandharas on Monday,” said Shirodkar.“Increase in temperature and change in direction of winds are causing the dearth of rainfall due to climate change. We will have to seek data from national institutions in Goa and elsewhere on the rainfall patterns and decide our future course of action,” Shirodkar said.He also urged citizens to limit water usage for activities like washing of cars and gardening to conserve resources.
