UMERKOT, Nov 12: Growers and general public have accused irrigation officials of creating artificial shortage of water in the Umerkot area by letting influential landlords tamper with watercourses and steal water meant for irrigating land and drinking.

Ajmal Mendhrani, a grower, said that the artificial shortage had affected thousands of acres of land and the growers could not cultivate any crop for Rabi season, which would affect wheat production.

He feared the area would suffer a food crisis in future if situation remained the same and alleged the SDO of irrigation subdivision of Umerkot and other officials were patronising water tampering at the head and letting influential landlords to get excess water by breaking modules of watercourses.

Another grower Mohammad Usman Maher said that he had prepared 200 acres for cultivating wheat after spending thousands of rupees, relaying on government’s promises that sufficient irrigation water would be supplied to the area but he no water had been supplied to the area for past two months.

He feared that his investment would go down the drain and alleged that all the water was being released to the lands of influential landlords through lift machines.

A visit to the area showed that waterways were drying up, peasant women carrying empty container and children were driving donkey-carts laden with empty drums in search of drinking water.

The farmers demanded deployment of Rangers along watercourses to ensure judicious distribution of water and warned that if water was not provided within a week they would besiege the office of director of Nara Canal and take other extreme steps.

Rabi season for wheat cultivation would end on Nov 20.

SDO of irrigation sub-division Imam Bux Mehar denied allegations that he was patronising water thieves and said that they had been provided 400 cusec water against a requirement of 1,600 cusec, which led to water shortage.

He said that the department was monitoring strictly to stop theft of water and a number of water thieves had been held and cases had been registered against them.

He was, however, optimistic that the target of wheat cultivation would be achieved.