BICHOLIM: Two gates of the Anjunem dam were opened on Saturday morning to release water from the dam as the water level had crossed the danger mark after incessant rains lashed the hilly ghat region of Virdi in Maharashtra for the last couple of days.

Though the capacity of the dam is 93.2 metres, water is maintained at 90-91 metres. The Water Resource Department assistant engineer in-charge of the Anjunem dam, Mr M P Hudedgaddi informed ‘The Navhind Times’ that on Saturday morning the Anjunem dam water level touched 90.2 metres and to maintain the level below the danger mark of 90 metres, water was released at a flow rate of 10 cubic metres per second by opening two gates of the dam. The gates will be kept open till the dam water falls to the normal mark, informed the assistant engineer.

He further said that the release of this water will not see a major rise in the Valvanti river level and added that there is no danger to the nearby villages. However, an alert has been sounded and the disaster management cell at Bicholim is keeping a close watch on the situation.

The deputy collector, mamlatdar, water resource department engineer, PWD officers, police officers and personnel at Keri, Sanquelim and Bicholim police stations, fire service personnel at Bicholim and Valpoi and other government machinery have been instructed to remain alert for handling the situation if flood occurs. However, such a possibility has been ruled out by the WRD assistant engineer.

The executive engineer of WRD, Mr S Shekhar has instructed the village panchayats, Bicholim and Sanquelim municipal councils and all other concerned authorities to remain alert, Mr Hudedguddi said.

Meanwhile, water level of Valvanti river was below the danger mark. As rain took respite on Saturday morning, water from the low-lying areas including fields, which were submerged, receded and farmers heaved a sigh of relief.