Breach in canal tributary floods fields

Crops standing in several acres of fields situated along the Raikot tributary of a canal on the Raikot-Sherpur-Dhuri road were damaged due to overflowing of water after damage of a portion of the Shahbazpura Bridge on Wednesday evening.

The police had to intervene in pacifying affected farmers when personnel of the Drainage Department sought action against the owner of a tractor-trailer, which hit the bridge and allegedly caused a breach in the tributary.

SDO Jagdeep Singh Heran said the process for strengthening of the banks of the Raikot tributary and its cleaning had already been started but the present breach was caused after it was hit by a speeding vehicle.

Though intervention of the police was sought, action was not taken as a compromise was reached between the affected farmers and the officials, he said.

Heran said senior officials in the department had already been updated about the allegedly weak condition of the banks of the tributary. The process for strengthening and cleaning of the same had been initiated.