October 08, 2008	Wednesday	Shawwal 08, 1429

NAWABSHAH, Oct 7: Crops standing over thousands of acres in two irrigation divisions of irrigation department have been badly affected due to short supply of water after the collapse of flank wall at Sakrand regulator of Rohri canal.

The supply was almost stopped initially when the flank and embankment walls at Sakrand regulator of Rohri canal collapsed about three weeks back.

There are approximately 700,000 to 800,000 acres of agricultural land in Naseer and Hala divisions out of which thousands of acres beside a part of Dad irrigation division Nawabshah was badly affected due to the short supply of water after the collapse of flank wall as well as embankment walls.

The regulator was immediately closed for repair and the higher authorities of irrigation department visited the spot the next day and ordered immediate repair work. The supply was reduced to 4,000 cusec from 9,000 cusec and an alternate bypass regulator was being used for the supply to both the divisions.

According to agriculture experts, some 70 per cent land of Naseer and Hala divisions was directly affected due to the damage and the growers would incur heavy losses.

The superintending engineer Rohri circle, Hyderabad, had announced a rotation programme for both the divisions till the completion of work. He also said that the regulator work would be completed in one week. However later it was realised that the damage was much bigger and it would take almost two to three months.

The cause of the sudden damage was said to be outdated construction, no proper maintenance and negligence of deputed staff who could not realise that the flank wall as well as embankment walls were weak. Growers, particularly the tail-enders of both the divisions, were suffering due to acute shortage of water and their crop was drying.

The problem would increase if the repair and construction work was not completed timely as the Rabi season was round the corner for sowing of wheat and other crops.

Executive Engineer, Dad irrigation division Nawabshah, Abdul Aziz Junejo, told Dawn on Monday that the construction and maintenance work was being carried out speedily. He said that the work would be completed within one month after which the supply would be restored completely.