Seawater floods fields at Betalbatim, farmers suffer

Colva: More than 40 farmers from Thondvaddo, Betalbatim, have suffered significant agricultural losses after seawater breached barriers and inundated their fields nearly a kilometre inland.

Locals said the rough sea led to the failure of the ‘handi’, a traditional bund structure that usually protects low-lying fields from saline water intrusion. The pressure of the tide caused the barrier to collapse, allowing seawater to surge through the creek and flood into surrounding fields.

“The sluice gate typically prevents seawater from entering the creek bordering our fields,” said one farmer. “But due to wind and abnormal momentum of waves, it failed.”

Betalbatim Tenants Association president Santorian Fernandes said such incidents occur annually. “Many hoteliers have diverted natural water courses during construction. This has changed the way water flows and is now affecting our fields.”

He alleged that a trench dug under the guidance of Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas was misplaced. “That trench should have been dug 200m away. But since it would have impacted hotels, it was shifted — and this happened while I was away, as my tractor had got stuck in the Benaulim fields,” Fernandes said.

He said that the local panchayat is not responsible for addressing the issue, as the association coordinates directly with the Salcete mamlatdar.

Thondvaddo ward member Ilma Dias said the flooding is due to multiple factors. “Sand erosion, illegal hotel construction, obstruction of natural water courses, and shack owners and fishermen driving along the beach stretch have all contributed to the worsening situation.”

Fernandes said that shack owners often clear shrubbery on sand dunes for space, which leads to erosion and weakens the natural barriers that previously helped prevent seawater intrusion.

The farmers are now calling for immediate intervention and long-term solutions to prevent further damage.