Siolkars blame Tillari water for flooding

MAPUSA: Residents of Bancarvaddo in Siolim on Saturday have once again complained about flooding allegedly caused by the release of Tillari water in the incomplete canal, passing through the hills of the village, resulting in damage to houses.
Residents informed that because of the release of water from the Tillari irrigation project in the canal at about 1.30pm, the water began gushing and the level started rising in Bancar vaddo.At about 2.30 pm, the water entered the houses belonging to Crecy Fernandes, Telma Fernandes and damaged the compound wall of Jude Fernandes.
"The water entered the bedroom of Crecy Fernandes' house and the elderly lady in the house had a tough time, seeing the situation she was afraid for her life," said Siolim-Sodiem sarpanch Nilesh Vaigankar.
He said that when they tried to contact officials of the Tillari irrigation project, they did not respond for a long time.
But water resources minister and Siolim MLA Dayanand Mandrekar acted quickly after he was informed about the incident. The sarpanch informed that the minister immediately sent a team of WRD officials, led by engineer Shailesh Faldesai, to take stock of the situation.
Mandrekar maintained that Tillari water should not be released and said that they were examining the incident.
When contacted, the junior engineer of the Tillari irrigation project denied having released the water from the Tillari canal and said that the flooding might have been caused due to the heavy rains. But, locals rubbished this claim and pointed out that such a situation did not arise even during the heaviest wet spell.
"We have not touched the gate to release the water ever since the last incident of flooding, it might be because of the sudden release of choked water from the stream. We have inspected the site and the situation is under control," Tillari junior engineer Sunil Karmalkar said.