Water pumping from Mudkud River remains suspended for third day
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
CANACONA, MAY 8
Pumping of water from the Mudkud River to supply it to residents of Agonda and Khola villages remains suspended for the third day, as the reported poisoning of the river continues to baffle authorities.
It may be recalled that a suspected overdose of chlorine in the Mudkud River reportedly to kill fish for consumption has left the entire marine life dead, and the foul smell of the dead marine life has been unbearable in the area.
“Water samples collected from three different places have been forwarded to the Pollution Control Board and our own water-testing PHE lab at Tonca-Panjim,” informed an officer from PWD (water-supply), Canacona.
“The pollution control board, however, declined to undertake the tests, claiming they were not competent to do so. We again collected water samples on Saturday and submitted it to the Tonca lab. The tests are awaited in three days time,” the officer added.
However, given the allegations of some officials adding chlorine to the Mudkud River in large quantities to kill fish, which ultimately led to the destruction of the entire marine life in the river, sources informed that a DO (Dissolve Oxygen) test conducted locally on Saturday revealed that chlorine residue was slightly above than the normal levels.
“The DO is at a ratio of 5.8, as against the normal 5,” informed the officer from Canacona, “We cannot say anything on addition of some unknown chemicals to the Mudkud River, which may be cleared only after proper tests and suitable analyses are completed.”
Meanwhile, PWD authorities have complained that they have received no cooperation from the Water Resources Department (WRD), as it takes up the daunting task to flush out the alleged contaminated water, from a WRD built Bhandara at Mudkud River.
“WRD officials were informed on Thursday itself about the developments at Mudkud, in the catchment river portion of a Bhandara built by them. But there has been no response from them even today, as we are making every effort to pump out the contaminated water, besides securing the fresh water,” a source at PWD informed Herald.
After a delay, the taluka’s health officials from Canacona Community Health Centre on Friday evening collected water samples from the Mudkud River. Sources informed that the Health Officer Dr Murlidharan and a medical officer visited the site at Mudkud River to collect water samples.
When contacted, Dr Murlidharan said: “We collected the water samples on Friday evening and sent them for tests at the analyzing unit of Director of Health Services. It may take a few days before the report is available.”
Meanwhile, outgoing Agonda sarpanch Jovi Fernandes visited the areas at Mudkud River along with panch Milagrina and also assisted PWD officials in the operations.
“The PWD should undertake a proper investigation of the water, before it is again pumped for supply,” said Fernandes.
He also called on authorities to augment resources at its disposal for the betterment of public. “Water tankers should be provided to the residential areas, till normal water supply is regularised’, demanded Fernandes.
