Bundh breach pushes water to doorsteps of Goa Velha homes

Panaji: An unprecedented rise in the tidal flow due to a bundh breach on the Siridao river has flooded the compound walls of several dwellings at Uddi, Goa Velha, as residents expressed fears of the impact of salinity of the worst flooding in years.
The roughly 15m breach in the bundh had occurred some time ago but due to the unusually high tidal flows that occur around this time, water nearly entered some houses for the first time in decades, residents said.
“The bidder (sluice-gate operator) is bound to maintain the bundhs but due to the lack of maintenance, the breach has been widening,” said Iyno De Souza, a local panch.
The sluice gate is located hardly 300m in the fields from the locality. “We have not seen flooding of our compound walls even during the monsoon,” a resident said.
Residents are worried about a worsening scenario if the breach continues to be neglected. Rows of coconut trees dot the bundhs in the area and most houses in the densely populated locality have wells due to the irregular tap water supply.
“The breach has to be repaired before the monsoon or it will become difficult to fill up and the salinity is likely to contaminate our well water,” De Souza said.
In the past, the locals would operate the sluice gate and ensure timely maintenance of bundhs. “No breaches were allowed to occur,” a villager said.
After being informed, the talathi of Goa Velha panchayat inspected the area while villagers said they are approaching authorities to demand that the repairs be expedited.



Stay updated with breaking news, weather updates, bank holidays and upcoming public holidays in march.