CANACONA:  The water level in River Talpona at Canacona rose unexpectedly due to the heavy rains forcing the shifting of nearly 60 families.

The district administration swung into action after the locals raised an alarm over the increasing level of water in the river at Canacona following heavy rains last night.

"The government machinery, including the Fire and the Emergency Services, was pressed into action. At least 60 families living on the banks of River Talpona were asked to shift fearing flood in the night," a senior official informed.

Heavy rains lashed Gaodongrim and Cotigao areas of the taluka with water almost touching the highest level of the bridge in Bhatpal, which connects Goa to Karnataka, he said.

The water receded in the early hours of Sunday, he said, adding that the situation was now under control.

A 62-year-old farmer Mablu Panglo Velip, of Tamonamoll in Cotigao, who was guarding his farm from wild animals, got trapped in his makeshift hut and after persistent requests from the people around he tried to escape through the neck deep water. However, he managed to escape the turbulent waters later in the night. 

Meanwhile, the work to find out the exact cause of swelling of the river was entrusted to the NIO. 

The locals alleged that the NIO team failed to visit the mountains from where the water came gushing down the slope with the debris. The NIO in its report suggested that the government should avoid such type of situation and precautions be taken in case of such situations in future.

Cotigao Sarpanch Daya Velip, whose area was the worst affected due to Saturday’s sudden rise in the water level, speaking to Herald said, “It started raining heavily since 7 pm and the water level started rising by 9.30pm at Ponsuleamol and Tammonamoll both low lying areas. Within half-an-hour the water level was so high that he had to form teams to alert residents to move to safer places.” 

However, he said the farmers suffered substantial loss as most fields near the river banks were flooded. 

Local MLA Isidore Fernandes and Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco rushed to the site and camped in Cotigao till early Sunday morning.

Mamlatdar Ramesh Gaonkar too visited the villages to take stock of the situation. Both fire and police personnel were stationed in Cotigao till late night. 

However, after rains receded by 9.30 pm the water level slowly dropped and by early morning the situation turned back to normal.

Locals residing near the river bank were forced to spend sleepless night as the water in the river rose by 1 metre. Most youth were seen alerting the villagers to remain awake. 

Avelino Barretto from Sadolxem, whose house is located close to the river said, "During the last flash floods water entered my house and we were lucky that the incident occurred during the day. But next time the nature might not show any mercy on the locals and may spell disaster in the village”.

RTI activist Pradeep Mokhardakar said that the concerned officials have not taken cognizance to his suggestions on dredging the sand bar formed at the mouth of Talpona River. 

"The authorities have not visited nor met the locals over the issues, which contribute to the rising of water levels leading to flash floods in the taluka. The NIO study team comprising 7 members had recommended to the state government to identify vulnerable areas in the taluka and to evolve a disaster management plan. But nothing has changed and it looks like the government has also forgotten the recommendations," he said. 

Notably, the taluka had witnessed a devastating flood in October 2009 in which nearly 250 houses collapsed and about 400 were damaged leaving several people homeless. 

The 3 officers lead by the ZAO of Canacona Chandras Desai visited the affected areas on Sunday morning and as per the information provided by the ZAO a total of 30 hectares of agricultural area under various types of crops got inundated as crops such as paddy, arecanut, banana, coconut etc. were damaged. Fencing, pump sets, pipelines and sprinklers got washed away. Around 200 farmers who have affected by the rains have been called with all documents to the Cotigao panchayat office to keep the procedure of claiming assistance easy and simple said Dessai. 

Desai informed Herald that teams have been formed to assess losses to the farmers which later will be submitted for consideration for assistance under Shetkari Adhar Nidhi. 

A team from water resource department comprising of executive engineer Subhash Kalgutkar, junior engineer from local office Priyesh Namshikar and lower staff visited Chapoli and Gaune dams and all the bandharas across the Talpona river to assess the situation. 

Speaking to Herald, Kalgutkar said, "We have inspected both the dams and the bandharas for any type of damage due to the flooding and found everything safe. Wood and branches have clogged the bandharas, which will be cleared once the water level recedes," Kalgutkar added.