Did negligence by state water conservation department cause the tragedy that claimed 25 lives following the breach at Tiware dam? Chiplun legislator Sadanand Chavan told THE WEEK that it was a clear case of negligence and shoddy repair work by the local irrigation officials which caused the tragedy.
"People living in the villages near the dam had written to local administration and had also informed irrigation officials that the dam had developed big cracks," said Chavan.
Tiware dam is classified as a minor irrigation tank. It is located near Chiplun in Ratnagiri district. The dam was constructed in 2000 and has a storage capacity of approximately 75 tmc. The dam is under water conservation department of the state government. It mainly supplies water for drinking and agriculture purposes to nearby villages.
After a spell of heavy rains for the past two-three days, the dam started overflowing on Tuesday night. The villagers in nearby Bendewadi hamlet were blissfully unaware of the fate awaiting them. As they went off to sleep the dam breached and water began flowing in the direction of Bendewadi with unusual ferocity. It soon engulfed the entire hamlet and people found themselves drowning even before they could gather their senses to react to the calamity.
" In all 24 persons from Bendewadi are missing, we have found 11 bodies and search for remaining persons is going on. Bendewadi is the only hamlet where people have gone missing due to the sudden, flood-like situation. People in other nearby villages are safe," informed Sunil Chavan, Collector of Ratnagiri who has been camping at the site since early morning.
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Even as the rescue and relief work is in progress, a game of passing the buck has begun in Mantralaya in Mumbai. An official close to irrigation minister Girish Mahajan said that Tiware dam does not belong to the irrigation department. "Technically, the responsibility is that of water conservation department. Mahajan saheb has gone to Ratnagiri to see the damage and because he doesn't shirk responsibility," said the official.
Shiv Sena legislator Sadanand Chavan told this correspondent that locals had written to officials repeatedly regarding the cracks that had developed in the walls of the dam. "Some shoddy repair work of filling those cracks was carried out in May. I have demanded a strict action against the officials as they are responsible for the tragedy," said Chavan.
Girish Mahajan said the government has ordered an inquiry by a high-level committee. "It is really tragic and unfortunate that such an incident took place. I am aware of the complaints made by the local villagers. The officials are claiming that repairs were carried out. Our inquiry will examine every aspect and will take expeditious action against those responsible," Mahajan is reported to have told media persons.
