TOBA TEK SINGH, Aug 17: A 40-foot breach in the Jhang branch canal on Saturday damaged standing crops over hundreds of acres of land.

The breach occurred between Gojra and Janiwala near Chak 315-JB Kala Pahar. The dyke near Janiwala has become so weak that breaches occur quite regularly.

Farmers told this scribe that the post of sub-engineer at Janiwala irrigation section had been lying vacant for the last six months as a result of which the lower staff took no interest in the protection of the canal banks.

They alleged that the irrigation officials themselves wanted that breaches occur regularly as they found it a “golden” opportunity to misappropriate funds in the name of filling of breaches.

The breach could not be plugged till the filing of the report in the evening.

Meanwhile, water supply to the district headquarters has been decreased and citizens were facing hardship. Similarly, the water supply to the farmers of Khewra minor canal has also been decreased.