Tension Mounts as Canal Erosion Near Kulvehri and Subhri Villages Raises Flood Concerns

Karnal, Haryana: A sense of tension gripped farmers in the Kulvehri and Subhri villages near Karnal as the slope of the augmentation canal began eroding after water was released into the canal on Sunday morning. Farmers, concerned about a potential breach in the slope, feared that such an event could lead to a flood-like situation, severely impacting their fields.

The Irrigation Department, in collaboration with the agency responsible for remodeling the canal, immediately deployed heavy machinery, including JCBs and poclain machines, to address the issue. Officials reported that around 15 feet of the slope had eroded, but assured that the situation was under control. “Our SDO, along with officials of the agency working on the remodeling of the augmentation canal, have fixed the eroded slope. There is no threat of breach in the slope,” said Manoj Kumar, XEN, Irrigation Department.

Despite these assurances, local farmers raised concerns about the quality of work being carried out on the canal. “Erosion started in the morning when the water was released in the canal. The work is still pending, so water should not have been released. It could lead to a flood-like situation,” said one of the farmers, urging the authorities to ensure the quality of the ongoing work and only release water once the project is completed.

The remodeling project of the augmentation canal, which spans from the Haimda head in Yamunanagar to the Picholia head on the Western Yamuna Canal in Karnal, aims to increase the canal’s capacity from 4,500 cusecs to 6,000 cusecs. This upgrade is crucial to ensuring additional water discharge to the southern districts of the state.

Covering a total length of 75.25 km, with approximately 20 km in Yamunanagar district and around 55 km in Karnal district, the project also includes the reconstruction of 71 structures, including 51 bridges, 14 cross-drainage works, and railway bridges. However, the project has faced several delays, including litigation and land acquisition issues, pushing its completion date beyond the original deadline.

Farmers and local residents remain on high alert as the canal’s erosion has heightened concerns about the potential impact on their lands and livelihoods. The authorities continue to work on stabilizing the slope and have reassured the community that all necessary measures are being taken to prevent any breach.