SWABI, Aug 9: The irrigation department has failed to prevent people from stealing water from irrigation canals, depriving farmers of the much-needed irrigation source and also causing its wastage.

It has been seen that residents of Salim Khan, Gohati, Kuladand, Main Dheri and Maneri area have been indulging in stealing water from the Pehur High Level Canal and sub-canals.

“This practice continues unabated with no official from the district irrigation department visiting the area to take stock of the situation”, said a swimmer in the canal.

The people have become so fearless that they sometimes pull down the gates of the canal, blocking water flow to the downstream as a result water flowed onto the roads and into the villages.

“It is an extremely dangerous practice as when gates are lifted water gushes down with huge pressure sweeping away humans and animals”, said an official in the district administration. “The irrigation staff must prevent people from blocking the canals”.

When contacted Khalid Khan, president of Kisan Board, said they had met with the irrigation officials on a number of occasions and apprised them about the prevailing situation. “But the officials did not take any interest in the matter”, he said.

Liaqat Yusufzai, Kashthkar Coordination Council office-bearer, said they held three meetings with irrigation officials calling for immediate steps to stop people from indulging in dangerous practice, but to no avail.

He said many far-flung and tail-end areas could not get water for irrigation purposes, which had turned their fertile lands into barren tracts.