Flooding At Sanquelim And Bicholim

Introduction

The Haltar/Virdi/Valvanti river originates near Chorla village in Karnataka It enters Maharashtra and is known as Virdi river. It is joined by Kattika nallah near Virdi village.The river enters Goa in its final legnear village shiroli and tranverses about 15 kms before it joins the main Madei river. Sanquelim Town is situated on banks of Valvanti River. The Town experienced Flash Floods on the night of 27.09.2007 resulting in huge loss to property and livestock. Flood waters reached RL 7.5 mts and above, the flood discharge being more than 1000 cumecs.

Causes ?

High intensity of precipitation resulting from cloudbursts Release of waters from the dam Silting of river Effects of High Tides Meandering or curves on the path of the river. Bottlenecks or encroachments on path of the river Degradation of forests or area in catchment area resulting in flash floods

Mitigation And Managment

The following are some of the measures which need to be evaluated in detail vis-à-vis the pros and cons, and final solution evolved Heightening and improvement of the Bund Lengthening of the Bund Desilting and improvement of the hydraulics of the river Straightening of the river by evolving bye passes Catchment Area Treatment Pump houses to let off water from drains behind embankments Removal of bottlenecks/ widening of the river Construction of Dam on Virdi River by Maharashtra.