BAHAWALNAGAR: A 70-foot breach in Hakra Canal near Gurusar on Sunday inundated crops on several hundred acres of land.

Reports said the breach occurred in Hakra Canal near Chak Gurusar at 2:45am. It widened due to flow of water, inundating crops. Water also flowed into adjacent Shahab Dhudi, Bala Arayen,Tibi Balochan and Bheni Atta and Muhammad Dhudi localities.

Residents said frequent breaches had occurred at Hakra due to the alleged negligence of canal officials.

A source in the canal department said the breach occurred owing to frequent entry of cattle into the canal.

He said the department had time and again advised the people to prevent entry of cattle into the canal at Hakra location, but they did not pay heed to the advisory. According to the official, soil is soft at the location and can’t sustain water flow.

Hakra Canal Executive Engineer Mehar Manzoor said efforts were under way and breach would be plugged soon. The revenue department is said to be assessing the loss.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2015

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