Farmers in distress as irrigation canal collapses in Rayagada

Rayagada: Thousands of farmers in three panchayats under Bissamcuttack block of the district are left in lurch after a portion of a canal built for irrigating their agricultural land collapsed following heavy rain over the past few days.

As per reports, the canal near Malisipur village here was built last month to supply water to the 400 acres of agricultural land of three panchayats of the district. However, it is being alleged that due to the substandard work by the concerned department and also incessant rain since last two weeks, the structure collapsed.

"The canal was built about one month ago. But due to substandard work, the structure could not resist the incessant rain and collapsed. This will severely affect our crops," alleged Dhanunjaya Jagannath, a farmer.

On the other, Muniguda SDO Murlidhar Mahali refuted the allegations of any substandard work in the construction of the canal.

"There is no chance of substandard work. Actually the land adjacent to the canal was washed away due to rain. There is no damage on the concrete wall of the structure," said the SDO, adding that the canal will be repaired and also the water supply would resume soon.