The govt must be ready to tackle situations arising from the vagaries of nature
Suddenly, government authorities seem disturbed as the state faces longer dry spells than rainy days this monsoon season. The grim situation will not only impact farming but also potable water supply and much more. We can always blame climate change, particularly the El Niño effect, but was there no indication that we would face such a situation sooner or later?
Earlier this year, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast a below-normal seasonal monsoon for 2026. Did the government take cognisance of it and make efforts to prepare for the eventuality? Now, the prolonged dry spells (mainly in the coastal talukas) have exposed the state’s fragility. On the ground, the reality is obvious: parched paddy fields, with farmers praying for rain. Some villages saw residents taking out processions to pray and do penance for rain. That showed the concern and gravity of the situation. The media also highlighted the effects of the prolonged dry spells. However, some ministers confidently stated that Goa would not be affected by water shortages, citing the water levels in our dams. For years, experts have been saying that climate change and the El Niño effect could adversely affect even regions that enjoy good monsoons. Yet, rainwater harvesting was never strongly promoted.
The current weather conditions, especially in the coastal talukas, present a complex set of challenges that ripple across the state’s ecology, economy and even the health sector. The government will have to pull up its socks and come up with a plan to tackle the situation. As farmers have already suffered losses, the government will have to arrange compensation. Being an election year, payments may be made promptly. The Directorate of Agriculture issued an advisory for farmers. This should have been done in June itself. It will have to work closely with ICAR, which has the expertise to help farmers in the next sowing season if a similar situation arises.
The biggest worry arising from prolonged dry spells is the availability of drinking water. Goa, a state that normally receives surplus rainfall, faces the ironic problem of some areas suffering from an inadequate water supply. For decades, we have been saying that people living at the tail end of the pipeline network receive a poor supply. It is the government’s duty to provide an adequate water supply—the basic necessity for human existence. As residential buildings are increasingly being allowed in the state, the demand for water is increasing. Is the upgrading of the water supply system keeping pace with this demand? Have dams and reservoirs been desilted to increase basin capacity? Fortunately, Goa’s hinterland areas, such as Sattari, Sanguem, Dharbandora and Canacona talukas, have received rain. Hopefully, the dams will not run dry. However, we need to be prepared for any eventuality.
The government must come out with short-term and long-term measures to avoid a crisis. The government’s creation of a new Department of Drinking Water—carved out of the PWD a little over a year ago—was the right step to focus on potable water. Understanding the gravity of the situation, the government must invest more in water management. This involves not only the Department of Drinking Water but also the Water Resources Department (WRD). It is the WRD that looks after raw water—the dams, ponds, lakes, wells, etc. The two departments need to work together efficiently. The government could rope in civic bodies for the proper monitoring and utilisation of water bodies within their jurisdictions.
