Saltwater in wells, flooded fields, Chorao islanders feel brunt of rain

PANAJI: The intensity of rainfall over the past week, and especially since Sunday, has been particularly hard on the villagers of Chorao island. While the copious rain has led to a steady rise in water levels, broken and unrepaired bunds have further plagued the villagers with inundated fields.
The saltwater has even seeped into the groundwater polluting the wells, in addition to which, issues with ferry connectivity has left many of the villagers apprehensive.
“The water has reached beyond the fields and poisoned the well water. The panchayat is supposed to have repaired the bunds, yet the problem has recurred,” said resident of the village, Joe Rodrigues.
With a number of houses in the island being Indo-Portuguese structures, many residents are finding their private properties waterlogged.
“Even near the Pomburpa church, the river water has entered fields and flooded them. While we are used to seeing inundated roads and fields every monsoon, this time, it has been unusual. There has been no relief from the continuous heavy rain,” another resident said.
Yet another resident said that his mobility was affected after flooded roads near the ferry made it difficult for him to avail of the river route. As a result, he was forced to take the Calvim bridge via Aldona to head to work.
The Captain of Ports, however, assured that the ferry service to the island village will not be suspended despite the weather conditions.
“We have deployed five ferry boats at Chorao for the villagers and there are enough vessels at other routes as well. There hasn’t been any stormy weather that could cause any disruption in services,” captain James Braganza said.