Water crisis to stay

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, April 10

Several areas in the city are facing a shortage of water due to the repair work of the Bathinda distributary of Sirhind Canal. It passes through the military area in Bibiwala and Jai Singhwala villages.

Water in the canal is expected to be released on May 5, but it seems that the water shortage is set to stay as the Irrigation Department has now announced the closure of Sirhind Canal for its annual maintenance work from May 10.

With the closure of the canal at a time when the temperature is expected to cross 40 degrees Celsius, it will be tough for residents to manage their daily household works without proper water supply.

Residents of many areas, including Bhagu Road, Civil Lines, Civil Hospital, Guru Ki Nagri, Shant Nagar, Power House Road, Mandir Wali Gali, Dhobiana Road, Dhobiana Basti, Model Town Phase-I, Phase-II, Phase-III, Grain Market and Police Lines, will be the highly affected as it is not cleared that the water would be released into the distributary on May 5 or not.

These areas are already facing a shortage of water due to the repair of the distributary.

It is learnt that tanks in the Bhagu Road area have reserved water to supply only for an hour daily till April 30. It seems that the month of May will add to the woes of residents after these water tanks will turn dry.

Residents are suffering as they are left with no option, but to rely on groundwater, which is claimed to be unfit for human consumption.

A large number of people are getting water from the RO plants installed in various areas of the city.

GS Bahia, XEN, Irrigation Department, said, “Sirhind Canal will be closed from May 10 for its maintenance work.”

Mayor Balwant Rai Nath said, “During the Sirhind Canal closure, the residents should use water judiciously. We will store enough water, but there would be a cut in the supply from May 10.”

Tough time for city residents 

• Water in the canal is expected to be released on May 5, but it seems that the water shortage is set to stay as the Irrigation Department has now announced the closure of Sirhind Canal for its annual maintenance work from May 10. 
• With the closure of the canal at a time when the temperature is expected to cross 40 degrees Celsius, it will be tough for the residents to manage their daily household works without proper water supply.