Heavy rains inundate 80,000 acres in Hisar, canals breached

Nearly 80,000 acres of farmland in Hisar district have been submerged following continuous rains and multiple breaches in canals, leaving farmers staring at huge losses this kharif season. About 20 villages in Barwala subdivision reported flood-like conditions after heavy spells of rain this morning and evening.

Compensate farmers Rs 1 lakh/acre

Farmers are in distress and need compensation of about Rs 1 lakh per acre from the government.

– Jai Prakash, Congress MP

According to villagers, standing crops on 500 acres were inundated after a breach in the Ghaggar drain between Patan and Kaimri villages on Saturday. The breach was plugged with the collective efforts of irrigation officials, MNREGA workers, and locals, but the Ghaggar drain, which has been overflowing for the past 10 days, remains a major concern.

Another 30-foot-wide breach near Chuli Kalan and Shahpur villages washed away sandbags and inundated several fields. Waterlogging also spread in Ladwa and Gangwa villages after the Ghaggar multipurpose drain overflowed again last night, submerging nearly 800 acres of crops.

Shamsher Nambardar, district president of the All India Kisan Sabha, said, “After visiting 25 villages in the past five days, crops on nearly 1.25 lakh acres were found destroyed due to waterlogging and water had entered houses in about 10 villages. The situation worsened further as the Ghaggar multipurpose drain overflowed again last night near Ladwa and Gangwa.”

He alleged that the drain, with a carrying capacity of 500 cusecs, is currently holding over 800 cusecs of water, causing repeated breaches.

Earlier, breaches had been reported at Patan, Shahpur and Matrashyam villages. Manoj Tak, Zila Parishad member from Gangwa, said, “Crops in hundreds of acres have been damaged and people displaced. The government must provide immediate compensation.”

Barwala subdivision was among the worst hit. Three hours of heavy rainfall led to waterlogging on roads and flooded the 33 KV power house near Barwala bus stand, plunging the town into darkness. Locals said water from nearby colonies entered the power station, forcing officials to shut down supply to prevent accidents.

In Sulkhani village, water entered the Anganwadi centre and homes, forcing residents to move with belongings. Similar scenes of waterlogging were reported in Rajli village.

The IMD said Hisar district has recorded 507.8 mm rainfall this monsoon season — 54% above normal — excluding today’s downpour.

Visiting the affected areas, Congress MP Jai Prakash demanded urgent relief. “Farmers are in distress and need compensation of about Rs 1 lakh per acre from the government,” he said.