Panaji: A delayed monsoon has depleted water levels at the Anjunem and Mhaisal dams.On Monday, Anjunem dam had 9.9% storage, while Mhaisal stood at 19.38%. Ankush Gaonkar, additional chief engineer of the water resources department (WRD), said Anjunem dam has enough water to last about 30 days, while Mhaisal is expected to meet demand for around 50 days.“Except for Anjunem dam in Sattari and Mhaisal dam at Panchawadi in Ponda taluka, water storage in other dams is sufficient to meet demand. It should start raining within a fortnight,” Gaonkar said.Anjunem dam, with a storage capacity of 4,483 HaM (hectare metres), currently holds 446 HaM of water. Mhaisal dam, which has a capacity of 436.8 HaM, currently has 84.64 HaM in storage.Gaonkar said Mhaisal’s water stock should last for about 50 days as only Panchawadi and parts of Shiroda depend on its supply. The 10-million litres per day (MLD) water treatment plant at Gauliwada-Panchawadi draws around 15 MLD of raw water for treatment and distribution to villages.Referring to Anjunem dam, Gaonkar said the situation was discussed in detail at a meeting on Monday, and officials were directed to secure alternative sources, including mining pits.“In case Mhaisal’s water stock gets exhausted before the rains arrive, supply will be managed from Opa Water Works or the Selaulim irrigation project. Before the Mhaisal plant was commissioned, supply was sourced from Opa. People need not worry,” he said.He said storage levels at the other dams — Selaulim (27.64%), Tillari (30.11%), Amthane (51.86%), Chapoli (40.47%) and Gaunem (44.11%) — remain relatively comfortable.
Mhaisal dam
