PANAJI: While urging the state government to compensate flood-affected families and farmers immediately, Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Monday asked chief minister Pramod Sawant to form a task force to find out the reason for the yearly floods.
In a letter to Sawant, GCCI said that it is willing to support and collaborate with the government in the relief efforts. The industry body has identified short-term measures as well as long-term measures to prevent similar instances from recurring.
“A task force should be set up to assess the reasons for repeated monsoon time flooding and excessive damage witnessed over the past couple of years,” said GCCI president Ralph De Sousa.
Sousa said that GCCI along with government agencies and professional environmental experts could help with the report, which should be made public to educate and hold all stakeholders accountable.
GCCI has said that Goa state infrastructure development corporation (GSIDC) must re-construct homes and damaged infrastructure in the villages. Along with this an “assured compensation package” must be given to those who suffered significant loss of agricultural equipment, farms and homes.
Goa witnessed continuous heavy showers for more than a week which led to flooding, destruction of homes, agricultural crops and livestock. The government estimates that approximately 832 hectares of crops and around 700 homes were destroyed. Logistical support and restoration of the supply chain in the villages is also must, said Sousa.
“Loss estimation of agricultural yield, livestock should be assessed by a neutral task force that can report on damage within 45 days,” he said in the letter to Sawant.
As a long term corrective measure, the state needs to dredge waterways and channels, build water highways from the dams to the seas and raise river embankments where ever necessary.
GCCI has also urged the state government to set up local disaster management cells across all red zones. The cells should comprise members who can actively monitor climactic changes and the resultant impact along Goa’s riverfront and rainwater catchment areas around dams.
