Goa’s submerged village wakes up each summer

UNDERWATER VILLAGE

Once a thriving village in South Goa's Sanguem taluka, Kurdi (Curdi) was submerged in the early 80s, displacing thousands of villagers in the bargain.

SUMMER VIEWS

Every April and May, when the water levels in the Salaulim Dam drop, the remains of Kurdi resurface temporarily, attracting former residents and visitors alike.

ECHOES OF DISPLACEMENT

Families from Kurdi were relocated to nearby areas, such as Valkini and Vaddem, in what is Goa’s only officially recorded case of dam-related displacement.

ANNUAL RITUAL

The centuries-old Someshwar Temple resurfaces each year, and a small group of devotees gathers to offer puja — a ritual that was delayed this year due to the early rains.

SACRED OPPORTUNITY

The Someshwar Utsav is organised by former residents and devotees of the area who return each year to pay homage. The resurfacing is seen as a sacred opportunity to reconnect with roots, faith and heritage.

ANNUAL FEAST

The annual Feast of the Holy Cross, traditionally held on the last Sunday of May in the submerged village, was cancelled this year due to the heavy pre-monsoon showers.

WHEN PATHS EMERGE

Each summer, dry riverbeds and old paths resurface, leading families back to their ancestral lands to perform rituals.

SUBMERGED MEMORIES

The reservoir that now submerges Kurdi serves as Goa’s primary water source for drinking and irrigation, concealing beneath its surface the full extent of the lost village.

FORGOTTEN VILLAGE?

Despite being submerged for most of the year, Kurdi lives on in the memories of its displaced residents. Until three decades ago, it was a vibrant community surrounded by thriving plantations.

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