Two breaches in canal inundate paddy fields

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, June 29

Two breaches in a small canal have inundated paddy fields at Sanghrari village here. Villagers alleged that due to lack of required cleaning of the canal, water pressure broke the embankments, submerging their recently planted paddy in many acres.

“The canal was not cleaned properly and the Irrigation Department officials didn’t bother to check the flow of water in the small canal. The capacity of canal is around 20 to 30 cusecs, but the authorities last night released more than 50 cusecs of water, which led to the breaches,” alleged Surinder Singh, a farmer of Sanghrari village, whose three acres have been submerged under water.

Villagers alleged that the canal developed two breaches last night, but the Irrigation Department authorities reduced the flow of water this evening after their repeated requests. They alleged that the department did not provide any help to them in plugging the breaches and farmers are working to repair the damaged portion.

“The Punjab government must take strict action against Irrigation Department officials for negligence,” demanded Jaspal Singh, village president of the BKU Ugraha.

The small canal comes from the Ghaggar branch. Some officers told The Tribune that due to sudden rain, the water level in Bhakra main line and other canals increased on Friday and to save big canals from breach, they released more water in small canals.

“We had to release more water in small canals due to rain. But farmers closed canal water supply to their field and it increased the pressure of water on small canal, whic led to the breaches. We have closed water supply and helping farmers in plugging the breaches. The cleaning of canal was done some time back,” said Jaswinder Singh, Sub-Divisional Officer, Irrigation Department.