Severe water crisis hits Sirsa as canals run dry

As summer sets in, Sirsa — one of the hottest districts in Haryana — is reeling under a severe drinking water crisis, triggered by canal closures and reduced water supply from Punjab. Both rural and urban areas are facing acute shortages, with the situation expected to worsen in the coming days.

Sirsa district, comprising four divisions and 330 villages, is struggling to meet basic water needs. Many villages are receiving water only once every 3–4 days, while city areas face alternate day supplies. Residents have resorted to buying private tankers at Rs 800 to Rs 1,000 per trip.

The main source of water — canals fed by the Bhakra system — is running dangerously low. Of the 149 canal channels in the district, 119 rely on this system. Currently, only 1,800 cusecs of water are flowing into the canals, against a required 2,800 cusecs, creating a 1,000-cusec shortfall attributed to Punjab.

From May 3, all canals will be shut for 20 days, further aggravating the crisis. Key canals like the Rori Branch, Kaluwala Distributor, Mammar Canal, Mithri Distributor, Dabwali Distributor, Mojgarh Minor, Chautala Minor, and KLC Minor are already under stress.

In Sirsa city, wards 10, 11, 12, 17, 20, and 21 are the worst affected. Social worker Amit Soni from Ward 21 said their tubewell is defunct and the absence of canal water has left residents dependent on expensive tankers. “The PWD officers are not responding. I’ve written to the DC. Punjab’s low release and high local use are to blame,” he said.

The city’s water comes from Panjuana Water Works and is distributed through four boosting stations. Areas closest to these stations receive water during the brief 1–2 hour supply window, while others get none.

Sirsa has around 120 borewells, but more than half are malfunctioning. Power cuts are also disrupting the water supply. In some areas, residents report sewage contamination in borewell water, making it unsafe to drink.

INLD district president Jasbir Jassa accused the government of ignoring repeated warnings. He said crops like cotton and paddy are at risk in regions like Dabwali, Kalanwali, Nathusari Chopta, Ellenabad, and Rania. Villages such as Dhudianwali, Kharian, Keharwala, and Panniwala Mota are severely affected.

Calling it the “worst water crisis in living memory,” Dabwali MLA Aditya Devi Lal blamed poor planning by the irrigation department. “Even animals are suffering. The CM is busy with cyclothons while people suffer,” he said. He added that the INLD will hold statewide protests on May 5, 6, and 7.

Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sharma said panchayats have reached out, and tankers are being dispatched. “All departments have been directed to ensure water reaches every village and ward,” he assured.