LAKKI MARWAT, Nov 5: Non-availability of canal water to irrigate lands has put farmers of Ihsan Pur area in a difficult situation who fear that if the problem persists, about 12,500 acres would become unproductive.

Local farmers association president Taj Ali Khan Mina Khel and other office-bearers, after conducting a meeting with the officials of irrigation department, condemned their attitude and blamed them for “siding with those stealing water.”

Due to dry year, the flow of water in River Kurram had halted, threatening 12,500 acres of agricultural land, they said.

Though authorities at Kurram Garhi river supplied water, the hunters of water birds controlled its thin flow near Bannu and Serai Naurang by erecting dykes in the centre of the river Kurram, stopping the water from flowing towards the lands of Ihsan Pur area through Ihsan Pur canal, and stored it in an artificial dam to attract birds, they said.

The farmers’ leaders said the onset of spring harvest season was just round the corner and if they remained deprived of irrigation water for another fifteen days, all their efforts will be wasted.