SADIQABAD, July 13: The Panjnad Canal, filled beyond capacity, has rendered thousands of acres water-logged and saline besides causing seepage in several villages and forcing people to migrate to drier places.

The poor villagers have not only lost fertile land but may also lose their houses, which are likely to collapse due to seepage problems. However, the government agencies were still bent upon recovering their outstanding dues, some of the affected villagers told this reporter.

The problem arose when the irrigation authorities released as much as 13,000 cusecs in a canal that normally carried only 11,000 cusecs, to cater to the needs of tail-enders.

The canal was constructed around 50 years ago, and its weak embankments resulted in seepage in the surrounding areas. Many of the trees on banks have also been uprooted as a result of erosion over the years. Breaches may occur any moment and cause widespread devastation.

The affected localities included Basti Khalid Abad, Hani Wali, Noor Wai, Mud Mastoi, Machi, Jhandey Khan, Bet Zahir Pir, Ghanoi Wali and Tayyab Baluch.

A delegation of the affected growers demanded of the Punjab irrigation authorities to release water into the Panjnad Canal in accordance with its capacity. They also demanded remission of their outstanding dues and an offensive against the menace of water-logging and salinity.