Breach in minor inundates crops

Tribune News Service

Malout, September 24

Standing crops on nearly 70 acres in Kilianwali and Lohara villages were inundated on Monday after a breach was caused by rain in the Mithri minor in the Lambi area.

Farmers said at 3.30 am, the breach damaged their paddy and cotton crop. They added that kinnow yield was also damaged.

Kulwant Singh, an affected farmer, said, “The paddy crop was at its maturing stage, but now it has been washed away. The government should have taken all possible measures to avoid the loss to farmers. The farming community is already under debt.”

Officials of the Irrigation Department said efforts were on to plug the breach. “It seems that the breach was reported due to water inlets in the minor closed by a majority of the farmers, but these are being opened,” they added.