Seawater floods fields at Betalbatim, farmers suffer
More than 40 farmers from Thondvaddo, Betalbatim, have suffered significant agricultural losses after seawater breached barriers and inundated their fields nearly a kilometre inland.
Locals said the rough sea led to the failure of the 'handi', a traditional bund structure that usually protects low-lying fields from saline water intrusion. The pressure of the tide caused the barrier to collapse, allowing seawater to surge through the creek and flood into surrounding fields.
'The sluice gate typically prevents seawater from entering the creek bordering our fields,' said one farmer. 'But due to wind and abnormal momentum of waves, it failed.'
Betalbatim Tenants Association president Santorian Fernandes said such incidents occur annually. 'Many hoteliers have diverted natural water courses during construction. This has changed the way water flows and is now affecting our fields.'
He alleged that a trench dug under the guidance of Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas was misplaced. 'That trench should have been dug 200m away. But since it would have impacted hotels, it was shifted — and this happened while I was away, as my tractor had got stuck in the Benaulim fields,' Fernandes said.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Nagelpilz-Clip bricht Verkaufsrekorde - funktioniert er wirklich?
Apotheken Aktuell
Undo
He said that the local panchayat is not responsible for addressing the issue, as the association coordinates directly with the Salcete mamlatdar.
Thondvaddo ward member Ilma Dias said the flooding is due to multiple factors. 'Sand erosion, illegal hotel construction, obstruction of natural water courses, and shack owners and fishermen driving along the beach stretch have all contributed to the worsening situation.'
Fernandes said that shack owners often clear shrubbery on sand dunes for space, which leads to erosion and weakens the natural barriers that previously helped prevent seawater intrusion.
The farmers are now calling for immediate intervention and long-term solutions to prevent further damage.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
IND vs ENG: Harry Brook's rain warning to Shubman Gill comes true on Day 5 of Edgbaston Test; viral video resurfaces
England's Harry Brook and India's Shubman Gill (Photo by) A light-hearted moment from yesterday in the second Test between India and England has taken on new significance after rain washed out the opening hours of Day 5 at Edgbaston. A video featuring England batter Harry Brook warning Shubman Gill about incoming rain has gone viral, mainly because his cheeky prediction came true. During a break in play, Brook was heard joking with Gill: "Not 450 declared? Shubman, you know it's raining tomorrow. Half day. Afternoon. It's raining.' Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! To which Gill casually replied, 'Bad luck for us.' Brook responded with a grin: 'Take the draw.' The clip was initially viewed as friendly banter, but with persistent rain on Sunday becoming the gap between a draw and India's golden chance to level the series, Brook's remark suddenly feels prophetic. Watch the viral clip: India entered Day 5 in complete control, needing just seven more wickets to seal a dominant win. England were reeling at 72/3, still 536 runs away from an impossible target of 608. But heavy showers hit Birmingham just minutes before the scheduled start, leaving the outfield soaked and conditions unplayable. The game has so far belonged to India captain Shubman Gill. The 25-year-old rewrote the record books on Saturday, becoming the first player in Test history to score 250 and 150 in the same match. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Concentrated Siberian Ginseng Extract 2oz Superior Ginseng Undo His knocks of 269 and 161 powered India to massive totals of 587 and 427/6 declared, setting up what could've been a certain victory. If the match ends in a draw, England will head to Lord's for the third Test, starting Thursday, with a 1-0 lead. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
India vs England, 2nd Test Day 5, Edgbaston Weather Update: Will rain spoil India's chances of maiden Test win in Birmingham?
India's captain Shubman Gill celebrates after scoring a century during day four of the second cricket test match between England and India at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell) Birmingham's weather on Sunday could play spoilsport in India's chances to level the series 1-1 in the second Test against England at Edgbaston. India are in a dominant position, courtesy of India captain Shubman Gill, who became the first batsman in Test history to make scores of 250 and 150 in the same match before Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep again struck with the new ball as the tourists pressed for a series-levelling win. Gill followed his first-innings 267 in the second Test with another superb knock of 161 off just 162 balls. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! He eventually declared India's second innings on 427-6 after tea on the fourth day. That left England needing a mammoth 608 runs to go 2-0 up in this five-match series. However, according to the forecasts, the morning will begin under overcast skies with light showers expected between 9 and 11 am. These early interruptions could delay the start of play and inject fresh life into the pitch, offering assistance to the seamers with lingering moisture. India Dominate Day 4! Siraj & Akash Deep Rattle England As per the UK Met Office, wet weather is likely to impact the first part of the day in Birmingham, with rain probabilities ranging between 50% and 30% from 10 am to 2 pm local time (7:30 pm IST). However, the forecast indicates that 'heavy rain will give way to overcast skies by lunchtime,' and the likelihood of further showers will drop to below 10% after 3 pm. No side in 148 years of Test cricket has made more to win in the fourth innings than the West Indies' 418 against Australia at St John's in 2003. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elite Option Trader Gopal Benefits from Laxman Rekha Strategy – Now You Can Too! TradeWise Learn More Undo England's corresponding record is the 378 they made against India at Edgbaston three years ago. But at Saturday's close in Birmingham, they were 72-3, needing a further 536 runs on the final day to achieve a win that would be remarkable even in their current 'Bazball' era of aggressive batting. Mohammed Siraj, who led India's attack with 6-70 in the first innings, struck an early blow Saturday when he removed Zak Crawley for a duck as a loose drive went straight to backward point. Deep, given the unenviable task of replacing Jasprit Bumrah, the world's number one-ranked fast bowler, then carried on from his four-wicket haul first time around by bowling left-hander Ben Duckett (25) with a nip-back ball. He then clean bowled Joe Root for just six as the world's number one-ranked Test batsman was undone by a superb full-length ball that moved away late. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
75 dead, 31 missing as monsoon devastates Himachal Pradesh; IMD issues red alert, rescue operations underway
The death toll from the ongoing monsoon devastation in Himachal Pradesh has climbed to 75, with 31 people still reported missing, as search and rescue operations continue in full swing across flood-hit regions. Torrential rainfall, cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides have battered the hill state since June 20, leaving a trail of destruction in multiple districts, especially Mandi. In its latest bulletin, the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) confirmed 45 rain-related fatalities and 30 accidental deaths linked to road accidents, electrocution, and a gas explosion. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Japanese-Inspired Calm in a Singapore Flat squarerooms Read More Undo At least 288 people have been injured, while preliminary estimates place total losses at over ₹541 crore due to widespread damage to infrastructure and private property. Geography hampers relief Rescue teams are currently focused on Mandi district, where efforts to trace the missing continue despite challenging terrain and poor weather conditions. Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan acknowledged the difficulty in reaching remote villages. Live Events "The main road of Thunag has been made motorable today. A few supply vehicles have also been placed there. Supplies have been sent with the help of mules also... The number of missing people is still 31. We have not found any missing persons. Special forces of around 250 State Disaster Relief Force-NDRF personnel are deployed. The whole administration is working 24*7," Devgan told ANI on Saturday. Highlighting the larger monsoon timeline, he added, "The relief work is challenging because of the geography. We are trying to reach habitations... this is just the beginning of monsoons. It is about to rain for the next three months. For us, the extra challenge is that we have to conduct the relief, rehabilitation and restoration program during the monsoons. We have full support of the government, providing all resources..." SDRF, ITBP teams on ground in worst-hit areas On Saturday, a team from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) conducted an outreach visit to Jarode panchayat, distributing relief kits and medical supplies to families in need. Several villagers received on-site treatment for minor ailments, and information was gathered on unmet needs to be relayed to the district administration. In Thunag — one of the worst-affected areas — personnel from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) have joined relief efforts. Working alongside the NDRF and local officials, the ITBP is clearing debris, searching for the missing, and assisting displaced families. CM Sukhu directs 'war footing' response Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has instructed Mandi district authorities to operate on a 'war footing' to ensure relief reaches all impacted residents. With continued rainfall expected, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the state, warning of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall over the weekend. The SEOC has urged residents in vulnerable zones to remain cautious and comply with evacuation or safety advisories issued by local authorities.
