08 August 2004	Sunday	21 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

SANGHAR, Aug 7: The Berani Distributary developed a 20-foot wide breach at RD-22, near Tando Adam, on Saturday morning, inundating crops standing over 50 acres of land.

The canal water also accumulated in houses near the breach site.

The supply of water from the Jam Branch was stopped to plug the breach. Area people, along with MPA Jam Madad Ali and officials, reached the spot and plugged the breach.

People said the water level in the canal increased as farmers closed their watercourses in the wake of Friday's rain, which caused the breach. Water supply had not been restored till the filing of this report.

Lightning: A man died after he was struck by lightning in the Sajan Magsi village on Friday rain.

The man, Ghammoo, 30, son of Jetho Bheel, was struck by lightning near his house while he was returning from his agriculture fields after the rain started.

RAIN: Farmers have said the Friday's rain will have a positive impact on crops, specially cotton, in the district.

They said sucking pest - white fly - thrips and mites were eliminated in the rain.

The rain will also benefit crops in tail-end areas of canals, which were the worst affected areas on account of water shortage.