Drain leak in Sirsa village sparks waterlogging fear

A leak in the Hisar-Ghaggar drain near Nathusari Chopta village in Sirsa district caused panic among locals early Saturday morning. The sudden breach led to waterlogging in nearly 20 acres of farmland.

As soon as the villagers noticed the leakage, they rushed to the site and took immediate action to prevent further damage. With the help of MGNREGA workers, they reinforced the weak section using mud bags. The villagers also used tractors and trailers to fill the area with soil and stop erosion.

The sudden increase in water flow in the drain is believed to have caused the breach. Thankfully, the leak was brought under control quickly, preventing more serious flooding. However, the incident raised concerns in nearby villages, including Darba Kalan, Manak Diwan, Makhosrani, Nathusari Kalan, Chopta, Shakkar Mandori, Tarkanwali, Shahpuria, Ganja Rupana, Ludesar, Rupana Khurd, Gudia Khera, and Bakrianwali. These areas remain at risk due to the rising water level in the drain.

Meanwhile, Sirsa MP Kumari Selja recently visited the affected areas and expressed deep concern after witnessing waterlogged fields and damaged homes. She stated that due to heavy rains and the breach in the Hisar-Ghaggar drain, thousands of acres of crops like paddy, cotton, and millet had been destroyed across Sirsa, Hisar, and Fatehabad districts. Some small settlements had to be evacuated.

Selja has written to Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, demanding a permanent solution to the drainage issue. She has also requested a compensation of Rs 50,000 per acre for the affected farmers.

She blamed the lack of proper drainage systems on both sides of the drain for the repeated flooding and warned that without immediate action, the problem would grow worse each year. She urged the government to build strong embankments, ensure regular cleaning of drains before the monsoon, and create a permanent water management plan to protect the farmers from future losses.

Meanwhile, XEN Sandeep Mathur claimed that it was not a breach, but a leakage from personal pipes installed by farmers. He said the situation is now under control, and the drain does not have enough water to pose any danger. He also added that the department is staying alert and closely monitoring the situation.