Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Jun 4: Goa Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar has assured residents that the state has adequate water reserves to meet drinking water needs and there is no reason for concern despite declining reservoir levels and the delayed onset of the southwest monsoon.

Addressing reporters, Shirodkar said the Water Resources Department (WRD) is fully prepared to handle the current situation and urged against creating unnecessary panic over water storage levels.

“Panchawadi and Anjunem reservoirs have sufficient water to meet the state's requirements for about a month. The Selaulim Dam has enough reserves for nearly two months. Even if Goa does not receive rainfall for the next month, the WRD is ready to ensure uninterrupted water supply,” the minister said.

His remarks come amid growing concerns over shrinking water levels in the state's major reservoirs following an extended dry spell and unusually high temperatures.

Among the reservoirs, Anjunem Dam in North Goa has recorded one of the lowest storage levels, holding only 14 per cent of its capacity. The Panchawadi reservoir currently stands at 23 per cent, while the Selaulim Dam, Goa’s largest reservoir, has 29 per cent of its live storage capacity remaining.

The Tillari reservoir, which supplements water supply to parts of North Goa, is reported to be at 32 per cent capacity.

Meanwhile, Chapoli reservoir in Canacona and Gaunem reservoir are in a relatively better position, with storage levels of 40 per cent and 44 per cent respectively.

The Amthane Dam, which supplies water to Bardez, Pernem and parts of Bicholim, remains the best-performing major reservoir in the state, with water storage at 54 per cent of its capacity.

Despite the decline in reservoir levels, the government has maintained that sufficient measures are in place to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply until the arrival of the monsoon.