Muktsar to face water shortage for month due to canal closure

Residents of Muktsar district will face drinking water shortage from January 10 to February 10 due to the closure of the Sirhind Feeder Canal for its remaining relining work. The canal is the main source of water for several waterworks in the district.

As the Water Resources Department has informed the departments concerned about the canal closure, officials of the Water Supply and Sanitation Department and the Water Supply and Sewerage Board have decided to supply drinking water every alternate day for a month.

Vishavjeet Singh, SDO of the Water Supply and Sewerage Board, who oversees the waterworks at Malout, Gidderbaha and Mandi Bariwala, said water would be supplied every alternate day for the next 30 days.

Rakesh Mohan Makkar, Site Engineer at the Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Malout, said, “We have to provide 135 litre water per capita per day for domestic consumption. However, the supply will be affected now. Although we are filling our reservoir to its maximum capacity, these are designed to cater to the needs for only 15 days.”

Meanwhile, sources in the department said normal water supply was expected to resume around February 15, as the relining work could take additional three-four days.

“Furthermore, once the water is released into the canal, it will take some time to reach far-off areas at full capacity,” they said.