June traditionally marks the beginning of the monsoon season but this year has been drier than expected.

Water level in the state’s Anjunem dam is now just 67cm, dangerously close to the minimum ‘safe’ level of 62cm.

This time last year, the figure stood at 74cm.

Water reserves at the state’s other major dam at Selaulim are slightly over half what they were last June.

The authorities have said the situation is not yet cause for immediate concern, with current reserves expected to last two months, but have stressed that if Goa does not receive the usual seasonal levels of precipitation in July when the rains pick up, there could be serious problems.

Goa is not a state usually affected by drought and water supplies are typically replenished during the monsoon season, which runs from June to September.

Sam Bond

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