Sirsa canal breach damages crops on 20 acres, farmers demand compensation

A major breach in the Sheranwali canal near Nathusari Chopta in Sirsa district caused significant flooding in nearby farmlands on Saturday afternoon, leading to crop damage. The incident occurred around 2:45 pm near Randhawa village when a crack appeared in the canal wall, causing a 50-ft section to collapse.

As a result, water from the canal rapidly flooded surrounding fields, damaging crops of guar and cotton (narma) that had recently been sown and were in a crucial growth stage. According to local estimates, nearly 20 acres of farmland were submerged, with farmers reporting heavy financial losses.

Upon receiving the alert, local farmers immediately informed Bharat Singh, a field worker with the Irrigation Department. He acted quickly and contacted the Nahraana Head to stop the water supply. Though the flow was eventually halted, it was too late to save the affected crops.

Farmer Ramswaroop said, “Our crops were nearly ready. This breach has destroyed everything. We now hope for compensation from the government.”

Another farmer, Satpal, blamed poor maintenance of the canal for the incident stating, “This happened due to negligence. The officials responsible must be held accountable.”

The damaged crops are likely to rot due to prolonged waterlogging, especially since the roots have been submerged. The farmers fear the loss will severely impact their seasonal income.

Officials from the Irrigation Department responded promptly, halting the canal’s water supply and dispatching a repair team to the site. Temporary repair work has begun, but department officials say full restoration could take several days.

An Irrigation Department official said, “We stopped the water supply immediately and began repairs. A team is investigating the cause of the breach. Initial signs point to a weakened canal wall or soil erosion.”

Local residents believe that the real cause lies in poor upkeep and ageing infrastructure. According to available information, water was released into the Sheranwali canal just four days earlier — on August 6 — and regular water rotation was being followed. However, excess pressure or weak soil conditions may have caused the collapse.