Panaji: Dams in Goa have started rejuvenating following heavy rainfall across the state over the last couple of weeks. However, the dams are far from reaching their capacity.Selaulim reservoir, for instance, is just 37% full. The usual date for the dam to reach full level is July 7. Last year, all the reservoirs in the state had reached capacity by July 2, except Anjunem dam which reached full level on July 15. However, this year, Anjunem reservoir in Sattari is only 15% full.The last time Selaulim missed its July 7 date of spillover was exactly 10 years ago in 2016. The dam attracts hundreds of visitors during the monsoon, who eagerly await the reservoir to reach capacity and spill over from its duckbill spillway by July 7.In comparison to this year’s 37% level by July 5, last year, Selaulim reservoir was at 50% capacity by June 8. It reached a spillover early last year for the first time in 25 years on June 26.It appears that this year, Selaulim dam, which caters to most of South Goa to meet its water requirements, may witness a spillover only in Aug.Lack of pre-monsoon showers this year and weak monsoon activity in most part of June saw water levels in most reservoirs in the state dip to very low levels.This means that all other reservoirs in the state, which also reach capacity by mid-July, are unlikely to reach full levels as per their normal schedule. Due to unusually good monsoon last year, all reservoirs, except Anjunem, had seen full levels by July 2.The Tillari reservoir in Dodamarg, which supplements the water supply to Bardez, Bicholim and Pernem talukas, is just 36% full at present.Water levels at the Panchwadi reservoir in Shiroda currently stand at 32%.If the heavy rainfall being experienced in Goa currently maintains its momentum, there are hopes that the Amthane dam could reach close to capacity by mid-July, as it is 62% full. Gaunem and Chapoli reservoirs in Canacona are 64% and 52% full at present. Usually, they are at this level by early to mid-June.The storage in the dams is crucial, as chief minister Pramod Sawant has said last month, because this will determine the water supply situation in Goa during the next summer season. The supply received during the monsoon months has to last Goa up to the arrival of the next monsoon in June 2027.
