As wells turn dry, Gaondongrim locals dig holes in river, stream beds for water

Canacona: By early March, long before summer reached its peak, wells had already dried up across Ziltawadi, a forest village at Gaondongrim, Canacona. In these elevated parts of Goa’s southernmost taluka, tap water is irregular through the year and becomes even more erratic in summer. With wells empty, families are now forced to dig holes in riverbeds and streambeds just to collect water for daily use.

For many residents, fetching water has become a daily struggle. Villager Ashok Gaonkar said tanker water is supplied, but many find it unfit for drinking. Instead, they travel at least a kilometre every day to scoop water from pits dug in nearby river or streambeds, carrying pots on bicycles and two-wheelers. This has now become an evening routine that will continue until monsoon revives the wells.

The crisis extends beyond Ziltawadi. Several parts of Gaondongrim and neighbouring Cotigao are facing the same hardship.

Rajesh Gaonkar, a local, said tanker supply on alternate days is inadequate, especially for families who must also provide water for cattle. Digging into riverbeds has once again become the only option. Residents say this is not a new problem. Former sarpanch and current panch Yeshwant ‘Dhillon’ Desai said tanker supply for domestic use is already insufficient, and in areas such as Bhupor and Indrawada at Gaondongrim, tankers reach only twice a week because of poor access. Another resident, Abolem Velip, said the limited water available must also be shared with cattle, the main source of livelihood for many families.

The distress is deepened by large-scale wastage elsewhere in Canacona. Former Shristhal sarpanch Kisanrao Gaonkar said repeated pipeline leakages and ruptures in places such as Mokhard, Char Rasta, Shristhal and Mastimol cause thousands of litres of treated water to be lost every day, even as taps in many homes run dry.

Residents say the situation is especially alarming because water is available in the Chapoli and Gaunem reservoirs at Gaondongrim. The availability of water at both reservoirs was also confirmed by WRD assistant engineer Dhananjay Nagvekar. Yet, recurring leakages at Mokhard and Shristhal continue without swift action, leaving villagers to endure another harsh summer of scarcity.