Second Canal Breach in Three Days Floods Over 200 Acres in Fazilka, Farmers Demand Action
Fazilka – Over 200 acres of farmland were submerged late Monday night after a second breach occurred in the Lambi Minor sub-canal near Bazidpur Bhoma village, just three days after a similar incident in the area. The breach, reportedly caused by the premature release of water into a recently repaired canal section, has intensified concerns over the canal’s structural integrity and the handling of irrigation operations.
The affected village lies approximately 31 km from Abohar. Farmers allege that Canal Department officials yielded to pressure from residents of tail-end villages and released water into the canal despite warnings that the repair site needed more time to stabilize.
A previous breach on Saturday had already inundated around 100 acres after a thunderstorm uprooted a large tree, resulting in significant erosion and a 100-foot-wide gap in the canal bank. Repair work was completed the same evening, and farmers were advised to hold off on releasing water.
“Despite the warning, water was released again on Monday night, and the repaired portion collapsed,” said farmer Sukhwinder Singh Bhoma. He added that the flooding has damaged straw bales and delayed the sowing of cotton and other critical summer crops.
Videos of the flooded fields and the canal breach have gone viral on social media, but authorities have yet to issue an official response.
The situation is made worse by a planned canal shutdown starting May 16 for scheduled maintenance, which will stop water supply for two weeks—further impacting agricultural activities.
Local farmers are demanding accountability from irrigation officials and compensation for their losses. The repeated breaches have sparked frustration and fear over the potential for more widespread agricultural damage if immediate corrective actions are not taken.
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