Margao : Heavy rains on Thursday triggered severe flooding in Paroda, Salcete, leaving nearly 200 houses surrounded by water and over 500 residents trapped indoors, unable to attend work, medical needs, or educational pursuits.
The situation has worsened this year after the government raised a portion of the road at the Paroda bridge to address long-standing flooding issue. However, authorities failed to provide drainage on either side of the elevated road, resulting in knee-deep water accumulation and immediate diversion of traffic via Chandor.
“From the road near former Public Prosecutor SB Faria’s residence to the tile shop in Paroda, and from the Paroda panchayat to Porvoth, the roads are submerged. Around 200 houses are waterlogged, forcing over 500 locals to remain indoors. Children could not attend school. This large-scale flooding is happening for the first time, entirely due to flawed elevation work at the Paroda bridge,” said Deepak Karangate, a resident and former sarpanch.
Former ZP member and resident Jimmy Rodrigues alleged, “The government shows no planning. The PWD never consulted locals before starting this project. Traditional waterways were ignored during the works.”
Karangate alleged that the PWD and WRD failed to desilt the Kushavati river under the bridge, where branches and debris remain stuck. “This is also contributing to the flooding,” he said.
Former Paroda sarpanch Gabriel Fernandes demanded that PWD engineers, the collector, and other authorities visit the site during floods to see the real situation. “When the PWD inspected, we asked for culverts to drain the water, but they ignored us. They treated the locals as though we were fools. Nearly Rs 20 crore was spent on elevating the road, but it was done poorly, and we are suffering. For the first time, wards like Mullos, Koriyat, and Desaiwaddo are badly affected. We do not know when the government will address this genuine problem,” he added.
“Floods are unavoidable when there are cloudbursts,” said a senior Professor from the Department of Geography. “But with regular maintenance, especially desiltation, and proper monitoring of development near the river, we can minimise damage.”
“I have instructed the PWD to promptly excavate a cross drain to release the accumulated water and submit a report,” Additional Collector II Ramesh Gaonkar said.
Collector orders desilting, safety checks after Paroda floods
Margao : Following the flooding in Paroda, Quepem, South Goa District Collector Egna Cleetus has directed the immediate cleaning and desilting of all
drains, culverts, and cross drains along the Paroda-Quepem road and other approach roads to prevent waterlogging.
Cleetus also instructed the executive engineer of the Electricity Department to inspect all power infrastructure in flood-affected areas. “Ensure all preventive measures are taken and submit a compliance report within 48 hours,” Cleetus stated in the order.
