Goa: Sal on high alert after water from Tillari dam released into Chapora

BICHOLIM: The release of water from the Tillari dam at Konalkatta, Maharashtra, has led to the rise in the Chapora river water near Sal village in Bicholim taluka.
The disaster management cell has alerted the Sal villagers and warned them not to venture near the river. The water level of the Valvanti river at Sakhali reached 4.5m and the Bicholim river was flowing at 4.70m. Several low lying areas in Bicholim taluka were submerged.
It may be recalled that last monsoon after water from the Tillari dam was released in the Chapora and water had entered houses in Sal village.
“Pumping of water from Sakhali into the Valvanti and from the Bicholim town into the Bicholim river was undertaken in order to avoid water entering into market areas,” said K P Naik, assistant engineer of the water resources department, told TOI.
The in-charge of the Bicholim disaster management cell, mamlatdar Pravinjay Pandit, said the Amthane dam is on the verge of filling up. “Considering the possibility of water being discharged within the next two days, villagers in surrounding areas have been alerted. However, the situation is under control and people should not panic,” said Pandit.
Several low lying areas in Bicholim taluka, such as Piligao, Nanora, Mayem, Gauthan, including Gaonkarwada and Bordem in Bicholim town, were submerged. The playground in front of Ideal High School in Piligao was fully inundated, while pedestrians and shopkeepers faced probledm in Bordem.
A plantation in Piddulkarwada, near the Bicholim industrial estate, got washed away into the river water, causing a loss of Rs 2 lakh.
The flood-like situation was reviewed by Bicholim MLA and speaker Rajesh Patnekar in the afternoon. In the evening, the chief minister went around Bicholim and Sakhali and tood stock of the situation. He told reporters that all officers concerned have been directed to be vigilant and provide necessary assistance to the people.