PANAJI: After incessant rainfall over the last three to four days, all reservoirs in the state, except Anjunem in Sattari and Chapoli in Canacona, have begun overflowing. Normally, dams in the state are seen reaching their capacity in the month of July, but, this monsoon season, the surplus rainfall received in Goa so far may have contributed to the dams overflowing five to six days earlier, officials of the water resources department said.
Other than Anjunem, all dams in the state have inbuilt systems that lead to the excess water flowing out once water level in the reservoirs reaches capacity.
The minor reservoir of Panchawadi was the first one to begin overflowing on July 12 and continues to be 100% full.
The next day, water level in the Selaulim dam reached capacity at 6am. The Selaulim reservoir caters to the water requirements of most of South Goa. The dam has a unique duck bill spillway, which makes for a delightful sight to watch when the water begins to overflow. Usually, large number of Goans visit the Selaulim dam site to witness this, while also looking forward to spending time at the botanical garden developed around the dam area.
However, this year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, visit to dam sites have been prohibited. The Amthane dam in Bicholim is also fast reaching its capacity, being 98% full at present.
For the second consecutive year, the Gaunem reservoir in Canacona began to overflow on the same day, July 16. The dam was seen reaching its capacity and the release of excess water began exactly at 6.15am on July 16.
The other reservoir of Chapoli in Canacona is presently 82% full. Besides, Chapoli, Anjunem reservoir in Sattari taluka is also yet to reach its capacity, with the water level currently at 61%. In the case of Anjunem, the large capacity of the dam means it takes much longer to reach its full level.
Anjunem is the only dam in the state which has gates and not an inbuilt system for the excess water to overflow.
