RAHIM YAR KHAN:A 50-foot wide breach occurred in the Ahmed Wah canal near Machi Goth in tehsil Sadiqabad, about 55 kilometers from here, on Monday.

According to local residents, the breach initially started as a 10-foot opening in the morning near 28 Wali Pully, between Ahmedpur Lama and Machi Goth towns. Due to the strong water flow, it quickly widened to 50 feet. Water inundated nearby cotton and fodder fields as well as parts of surrounding localities.

Villagers attributed the breach to the weakening of the canal banks caused by cattle and children entering the canal to bathe in the extreme heat.

Locals made initial efforts to plug the breach and informed the irrigation department and Assistant Commissioner (AC) Sadiqabad. AC Nadeem Baloch arrived at the scene and coordinated emergency response efforts, calling in irrigation staff and machinery.

After suspending the water discharge from the canal head, irrigation workers, tehsil administration staff and local labourers successfully plugged the breach by 1pm.

AC Baloch urged residents to refrain from bathing in canals with their livestock, warning that such practices could lead to further breaches and flooding. He added that strict action would be taken against violators in the future.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2025