20-foot breach in Chautala Minor floods fields in Dabwali, cotton and paddy crops at risk

Hisar: A 20-foot-wide breach in Chautala Minor near Jandwala Bishnoian village in Sirsa’s Dabwali block early Sunday flooded adjoining fields, threatening standing cotton and paddy crops.The breach occurred around 2.30 am in the canal originating from Maujgarh head and was noticed in the morning by a farmer, who spotted the cut near a broken sheesham tree. Rapidly flowing water inundated adjoining fields, submerging standing crops.The farmer alerted irrigation department beldar Jogender Singh, following which officials stopped the Chautala Minor’s supply at Maujgarh head and deployed a JCB to plug the breach. Workers used soil to block the damaged section, but by then water had spread across several fields.Farmers estimated that around 20 to 30 acres of standing cotton and paddy crops had been affected. Agricultural equipment and other material kept in the fields may also have suffered damage, they said.Farmers questioned the maintenance and monitoring of the minor. They alleged that timely inspection and repairs could have prevented the breach and sought an immediate assessment of crop losses and adequate compensation.Farmers also urged the irrigation department to permanently repair vulnerable stretches of the minor to prevent similar incidents in the future.