Villages put on alert as water level rises at Anjunem dam (Herald)

Villages put on alert as water level rises at Anjunem dam July 20, 2013 TEAM HERALD BICHOLIM: Taking serious note of rising water levels at the Anjunem dam due to heavy rainfall, authorities have alerted villagers and panchayat authorities in Kerim, Morlem, Paryem and Karapur to be on their guard, even as the situation is reported to be under control. Heavy downpours have increased the water level at Anjunem dam to 88.57 metres and authorities have decided to release excess water from the reservoir once the level reaches 93.2 metres. An announcement on a loudspeaker at Sanquelim and Karapur cautioned villagers to remain alert over possible release of excess water. Authorities have however informed villagers not to panic as the situation is under control. “Excess water in the dam will be released through Costi and Valvanti rivers normally during low tides. Hence there is a possibility of sudden increase in water level in the downstream in these two rivers,” informed the source. The rise in water level has compelled the WRD at Karapur-Tisk to send notices to sarpanchas of Kerim, Morlem, Paryem and Karapur Panchayats to caution villagers from their respective areas to remain alert to avoid further danger. Dam authorities have given instructions to respective panchayat authorities to caution villagers while washing clothes, bathing and taking their cattle to the riverside. Authorities have also requested villagers to avoid crossing rivers. Copies of the notice have been forwarded to WRD Minister, Dayanand Mandrekar, MLAs concerned and other departments, including the police and fire forces. Bicholim Mamlatdar Gurudas Desai and other officers visited Sanquelim and other areas to take stock of the situation. An announcement on a loudspeaker at Sanquelim and Karapur cautioned villagers to remain alert over possible release of water http://www.heraldgoa.in/News/Local%20News/Villages-put-on-alert-as-water-level-rises-at-Anjunem-dam/77128.html Anjunem dam water to be released soon Rajendra P Kerkar, TNN | Jul 20, 2013, 02.46 AM IST KERI: Water from the Anjunem dam is expected to be released soon as the water level is increasing due to heavy rainfall in the catchment area of the dam. Executive engineer of water resources department, Karapur, M P Hudedagaddi has issued a notice on Friday to inform villagers that the water level in the dam had reached 88.57 metres as against the full reservoir level (FRL) of 93.2 metres. It is envisaged that the FRL of the dam will be reached within a few days, necessitating release of excess water, the notice stated. WRD executive engineer M P Hudedagaddi said, "The excess water in the dam will be routed through Costi nadi and Valvonti river during low tide. Hence, there is a possibility of sudden increase in water level downstream in the above two rivers." The department has cautioned villagers to be careful while washing clothes, taking bath, taking their cattle to riverside and to avoid crossing the river. On Friday, rainfall in the Chorla ghat area crossed the mark of 2274mm (89.5 inches). http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Anjunem-dam-water-to-be-released-soon/articleshow/21176405.cms