Goa, May 12 -- With dark monsoon clouds gathering over Goa and the southwest monsoon fast approaching, the Water Resources Department (WRD) has finally begun clearing the heavily weed-infested River Sal along a crucial four-kilometre stretch from Comba to Mercado Mall.

Social activist Santan Pereira welcomed the move but stressed that the work should be completed immediately before the monsoon intensifies and the weeds are washed into the sea.

He further urged the government to find a permanent solution to the recurring issue, warning that temporary clean-up drives would otherwise amount to a waste of public funds.

According to Pereira, unless long-term measures are implemented to prevent excessive weed growth in the river, the problem...