Daijiworld Media Network – Ponda

Ponda, Feb 17: The Water Resource Department (WRD) has begun pumping out water from abandoned mining pits in Codli-Dharbandora to prevent potential breaches, following directives from the South Goa Disaster Management Authority.

Officials from the mining department, WRD, and disaster management conducted an inspection on Tuesday and swiftly deployed pumps to drain water into the river.

Despite the Khandepar river flowing above normal levels and overflowing at the Opa barrage, WRD has been pumping water from the pits—an action usually taken only when levels drop below 2.5m. As of Friday, the river’s water level stood at 5.10m.

Using two high-capacity pumps, WRD has been extracting 35 MLD of water daily from Vedanta’s and Pandurang Timblo Industries’ abandoned pits and channeling it into the Khandepar river, an official stated.

Typically, such pumping helps rejuvenate the Opa river, benefiting all five water treatment plants at Opa ward and Curti hill in Khandepar, Ponda. However, this time, the operation is focused on easing pressure in the waterlogged pits.

According to officials, the pits have remained inundated since a transformer at Vedanta’s site failed during heavy monsoon rains.

Opa water works operates five treatment plants (8, 12, 27, 40, and 54 MLD), supplying 153 MLD of water to Ponda and Tiswadi talukas.