To check flooding, WRD to desilt Kushavati river

Margao: In what is considered to be the first such exercise since a weir was constructed on the river at Quepem, the water resources department (WRD) has undertaken desilting of the Kushavati river at Quepem.

Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa said that over the years, the accumulation of silt, mud and rubble near the weir site progressively raised the water level, causing water flowing downstream to get blocked by litter and spill into fields, coconut groves and houses in the area.

“We have taken up desilting of the river at Quepem for a stretch of nearly one kilometre. We will extend it further up to Paroda. This may also serve as a mitigation measure for the flooding that occurs at Paroda every monsoon. More tenders for desilting the river are in the pipeline,” D’Costa said.

The MLA also drew attention to the scenic character of the area around the weir, pointing out that residents visit the site to enjoy the natural surroundings. He urged people not to litter and called for greater public responsibility in preserving natural resources. “We should preserve natural resources like rivers, lakes, hills, etc. for posterity,” he said.

The desilting exercise, officials said, is expected to improve the flow of water through the river channel and reduce the risk of flooding that affected Paroda residents during the monsoon season in recent years.