October 16, 2008	Thursday	Shawwal 16, 1429

SANGHAR, Oct 15: Shortage of irrigation water has hit crops in Sanghar area as the irrigation department has clamped a strict water rotation programme.

Nara, Jamrao, Mithrao and Khipro canals are flowing at an ebb. Nara Canal, which normally carries about 16,600 cusec of water from Indus, is flowing at 9,000 cusec these days. Similar is the situation at other canals.

The farmers have started sowing oil seed crops (sarsoon) and preparing lands for wheat sowing but they are frustrated due to water shortage. Many farmers have decided to sow wheat on reduced acreage.

A large of farmers said that the cost of inputs was very high and they cannot afford it. Their wheat crop was affected due to water shortage hence they have decided only to sow on 50 per cent lands.

On Monday, waterways of Dim wah, Dilore of Khadro and Jhol irrigation sub-divisions were closed under rotation. On Tuesday, Shahhu branch was closed under rotation system.