Timely action by farmers averts tragedy as Sirhind Feeder canal overflows near Mahuana, Abul Khurana villages

Timely action by farmers averted a major tragedy on Saturday after the Sirhind Feeder canal overflowed for a short period near Mahuana and Abul Khurana villages in Muktsar district.

As the water level continued to rise, panic spread among farmers who feared a breach in the canal that could have damaged hundreds of acres of standing paddy crop.

Without waiting for official help, the farmers themselves swung into action and started placing sandbags along the embankments. Their prompt action managed to check the overflowing water and prevented damage to adjoining fields.

“Had we not acted immediately, our crops would have been destroyed in minutes,” said Manpreet Singh from Mahuana village, whose mother Jaspal Kaur is a former sarpanch.

The farmers further expressed concern over the alleged mismanagement by the Water Resources Department. Meanwhile, the water level receded after farmers alerted the department officials.