Punjab officials blame Haryana canal for floods

Punjab officials today squarely blamed the neighbouring state of Haryana for obstructing the natural flow of Ghaggar and its tributaries, leading to flooding and increased risk of submergence in several areas along Haryana border.

Officials have once again raised concerns over the Hansi–Butana canal, which was built without mandatory clearance from the state. During the 2023 floods, the obstruction at the Hansi–Butana siphon worsened the situation in Samana and adjoining villages of Patiala district, damaging crops, property and public infrastructure.

Siphon is a concrete structure in the canal through which water is taken below the drainage and the water flows under symphonic action. Villages along the toe wall of Hansi-Butana canal have been flooded since Monday when the water level in the Ghaggar and Badi Nadi rose. Before the construction of Hansi-Butana canal, the water used to flow towards Haryana.

The 20-ft-high canal is acting like a wall and has stopped the flow of water from the state to Haryana. “There is only one siphon and that too remains partially choked due to silt, leading to water accumulation and thus flooding villages inside Punjab”, said officials familiar with the matter.

On Monday, officials visited the site and their assessment revealed that Sassi Brahman, Sassi Gujjran, Dharmehri, Hashampur, Bhawganpur and Sassi Teh villages were the worst-affected.

After the visit, Patiala SDM Harjot Kaur said, “The obstruction created by the canal has aggravated the flood situation in these villages. We are closely monitoring the ground situation. Necessary steps are being taken to provide relief to the affected people.”

Earlier too, the Punjab Government blamed Haryana for waterlogging in villages of Patiala and Sangrur districts. During the 2023 floods, then Cabinet Minister Chetan Singh Jauramajra claimed that the neighbouring state didn’t clean the siphon built on the Ghaggar under Hansi-Butana canal on time.