Farmlands submerged in canal breach

Hirakud: Acres of farmland were inundated after the retaining wall of Sasan Canal of Hirakud dam developed a 20-feet breach in the wee hours today. The water came gushing out of the breach and flooded the farmlands near Pandiripali

On being informed, Irrigation department officials rushed to the spot and carried out repair work.

"The canal is in poor state due to lack of repair. We had informed the matter to senior officials in the department and also the Sambalpur District Collector, but no work was carried out" informed an official from the Irrigation department.

"The canal is 70 year old and sometimes we are required to release large quantity of water to meet the demands. This could have led to the breach. However steps are being taken to support the canal with concrete support structures to avoid such breaches,” said another official adding that repair work of the canal will be over soon.

Farmers alleged that despite their repeated appeals to the district administration, no one paid heed about the damaged canal.

The water lost in the breach could have been used for irrigation purposes, the farmer rued.