Sirhind canal breach leaves more than 250 acres submerged

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, July 29

A breach has been reported in the Sirhind canal yesterday which left more than 250 acres submerged in water at Beer Talab village of Bathinda.

Villagers along with irrigation officials today remained busy to plug in the breach while the Irrigation Department also reduced the flow of water in the canal to control the breach.

The breach occurred during the intervening night of Thursday and Friday.

Villagers hold weak lining of the canal responsible for the breach that occurred for the second time in such a wide manner, leaving hundreds of acres submerged. But officials of the Irrigation Department and District Administration said the breach was occurred due to the fallen trees near the lining.

Around one year ago, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal laid the foundation stone in Bathinda to get the lining re-constructed of this Sirhind canal.

Earlier, It has also witnessed a huge breach, leaving many residents of Paras Ram Nagar in the lurch after water entered into their houses.

With incessant rains and sometimes apathy of officials of the Irrigation Department these breaches in various canals and water bodies take place. On July 13, Mehma Mada minor also witnessed the breach and submerged around 100 acres while on July 11 minors in Maur and Bhucho Mandi were witnessed breaches, leaving farmers in the lurch.

“Lining of these canals and minors has been weakened and needs an urgent repair. The weak lining is unable to handle heavy rains as water in the canals and minors increases. The officials of the Irrigation Department don’t reduce the flow of water in minor and distributaries during rains. This time, in the Sirhind canal the breach occurred due to weak lining of the canal. My entire cotton and paddy crop, sown in 10 acres, submerged in water.” said Gursewak Singh, a farmer.

The Deputy Commissioner of Bathindia said, “We have found that the breach occurred due to the falling trees. The repair work of lining is being done.”

Jagroop Singh Gill, MC of ward no 48, said, “This is for the second time when the breach has occurred, leaving a large number of farmers in the lurch. The foundation stone was laid by the Deputy CM last year but still the repair work of lining has not been started. The government should compensate the farmers at least with Rs 40,000 as they had witnessed huge losses.”