30 feet breach in Bikaner canal  in Ferozepur, cut-off villages, damage just sown paddy crop

30 feet breach in Bikaner canal  in Ferozepur, cut-off villages, damage just sown paddy crop

Ferozepur, June 13, 2024: The Bikaner canal from Sutlej River on Thursday breached at one place between villages Luther and Haste Wala, causing significant damage to the embankment in the area of Ferozepur district, as water inundated the surrounding areas which were mainly agricultural land, recently where paddy had just been sown.  It looks like it was caused even before the remodelling and relining work of the 75-year-old canal.

Due to a breach in the Sutlej River in village Haste Wala of about 30 feet, in the early hours, there was a heavy loss of agricultural land standing saplings of paddy crop, said to be due to heavy flow of water from the back end and water has entered around 4 feet deep. The traffic in the villages has also been cut off. The water flow from the breach point has started entering the fields.

The district administration has already issued an advisory in this regard and advised the canal department to take care of the embankments. However, the heavy current of water from the upper hills and the increase of level at dams has caused this breach.

As per the information, the water level in Bhakra Dam (1584 feet) and Pong Dam (1313), with the melting of the glacier due to heat waves, there is the possibility of release of water in Sutlej River which could be up to 26,000 cusec.  This increase in level is even before the start of the pre-monsoon.  During the last 60 years, it is for the first time the water level has gone up on June 12.

A retired canal department official said that the failure of a canal or canal embankment is due to various factors such as uncontrolled release of water, structural weaknesses, hydraulic factors, geotechnical issues, maintenance and operations, environmental and external factors and human activities. may be due to At the same time, he said that a combination of good design, quality construction, regular maintenance and vigilant monitoring is required to prevent the deterioration of the canal. Early resolution of potential issues and effective management of water levels are important to maintain the integrity of canal systems so that flooding and crop damage caused by such breaches can be avoided.

Mehal Singh Nambardar said, the water release has been stopped from the Harike and there seems to be no loss so far as the paddy was still to be sown.  In the meantime, the canal department officials reached the spot and the work for plugging the breach was still going on.

Meanwhile, MLA Ferozepur Rural, Rajnish Dahiya had a meeting with the district administration – where Dr.Charumita SDM was also present – to review the arrangements for flood prevention measures due to possible floods. He directed the canal officials to make advance cleaning arrangements and be ready for rescue work if necessary.