Indravati Canal Breach Floods Paddy Fields In Odisha’s Kalahandi

Bhawanipatna: Over 100 acres of paddy fields were submerged in Kalahandi district’s Kokasara block following a breach in Indravati Mega Lift Irrigation Canal, officials said on Saturday.

Sources in the Water Resources Department said the first canal water was released through the lift irrigation on Friday night. But due to the low-quality of construction of the canal embankment, there was a 20 feet long breach near Majhiguda village in Koksara block, they added.

The water, flowing above 3 feet, entered the farmland and washed away paddy saplings.

Dharmagarh sub-collector Pawar Sachin Prakash said three villages along with farmland have been inundated and the canal will be repaired within 48 hours.

Officials said the Water Resources Department had repaired several areas of the embankment during summer this year.

Notably, the mega irrigation project was inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on January 14. Farmers alleged that breaches and cracks were seen on its embankment a few days later due to substandard work.

This project irrigates a large number of farmland in Koksara and Dharmagarh blocks in the district.