MAPUSA: Earlier this week, due to the release of water from the Tillari dam, River Chapora water level rose resulting in flooding of few villages in Bardez such as Camurlim, Revora, Colvale with over 500 families being affected.
Camurlim was the worst affected as over 300 people were evacuated by locals and government authorities and 28 others were rescued with the help of the navy and shifted to safer places.
The National Highway between the Bastora and Guirim stretch were also flooded with knee deep water.
Locals blame the government for haphazard development carried out in the area, systematic and reckless destruction of paddy fields and low lying land bordering the Bastora River and flowing towards Mapusa at the Tar junction.
In the process of this highway expansion work, a portion of the river has also been encroached on at least at three places.
Environmentalists opine that the underpass and flyover built at Guirim and Bastora, the water pumping station built by the WRD on the bank of Bastora River are few reasons for the rise in the water levels in the village. The road from Xell, Bastora to Hotel Green Park junction was under water for two days. This is used by commuters from Xell, Paliem and Ucassaim to go to Mapusa and Panjim.
Former Bastora deputy sarpanch Andrew D’Souza claimed that this was the first time that the villagers were forced to walk through knee deep water.
“The main reason for flooding in the village is the flyover and underpass built without any systematic planning. There was also filling of agricultural fields with over 150 trucks undertaken with the help of WRD in March thus destroying the khazan land and catchment areas. There is a need for the removal of debris and restoration of the area or else flooding will be an annual feature,” he said.
Founder Member of Revolutionary Goans, Manoj Parab condemned the “indiscriminate, reckless and unnecessary” cutting of trees along the highway.
“There has been so much of destruction done to nature over the last few years. Due to the highway expansion work, thousands of trees have been cut. It is a tough time for the residents of Colvale, Camurlim, Revora and the surrounding areas. This is a warning sign for all of us to protect nature and save ourselves from nature’s fury,” Parab said.
