Goa, Dec. 27 -- O Heraldo's recent report exposed the Water Resources Department's (WRD) negligence in cleaning canals, tanks, and chambers, questioning how Rs 2 crore in sanctioned funds were spent. Farmers' pleas for proper irrigation fell on deaf ears until the report prompted WRD to launch cleaning operations. Yet, the response has backfired, leaving growers angrier than before.

While some canal stretches saw superficial cleaning, water supply remains critically low. Farmers report fields parched despite the work, with irrigation struggles intensifying. In a misguided fix, WRD built a mud bandhara to retain water, but it choked flow to downstream canals spanning nearly 3 km. Only trickles reach farmlands, crippling crops at a vital s...