40-ft breach in canal near Sunam;  paddy, maize crops adversely hit

A 40-foot-wide breach today occurred in a canal (Sunam Sub Branch) at Khadial village, about 7 km from Sunam. The canal water spread in about 300 acres, adversely affecting paddy and maize crops of more than 50 farmers of the area. 

The breach happened in the wee hours of Thursday. Even though villagers informed the authorities concerned, the breach could not be plugged till this evening.

Sangrur Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Rishi said at the time of breach, 400 cusecs of water was flowing in the canal. The authorities immediately started the work to plug it. Since the water had receded, the irrigation authorities would start plugging the breach. He expressed the hope that the breach would be plugged by tonight while the work to strengthen the banks of the canal would be completed in a day or two.

Harpal Singh, a resident of Khadial village and a youth leader, said the breach in the canal had occurred the last year also. Villagers had appealed to the authorities then also to strengthen the banks of the canal, but to no avail. He said due to the negligence of the authorities, the farmers had suffered a major loss today as they would have to transplant their paddy crop once again.

Winnerjit Singh Goldy, area in-charge of the SAD of Sangrur, has demanded from the Punjab Government adequate compensation for the farmers who have suffered losses due to damage to their crops on hundreds of acres.