JOIN USEven as incessant rains have brought smiles on the faces of farmers, it has its negative impact, thanks to the apathy of engineers concerned.
A sub-canal under Hemavathy Canal, at Haradanahalli, near here breached and water gushed into nearby farmlands on Monday, damaging the crops.
H N Dharma, a farmer, said the engineers concerned should have gauged the capacity of the sub-canal before letting water. As weeds have grown in canals, they are unable to take full capacity of water.
The canal walls have also become weak due to weeds. The authorities concerned should have cleared weeds before letting water. Now, water flows over the banks. Wherever the banks are weak, the canal breaches, he said.
He said, as Hemavathy Canal comes under Holenarsipur division, Hassan district, engineers show indifference towards the sub-canals that supply water to farmlands in bordering K R Nagar taluk.
The problem of farmers losing crops due to such breaches have persisted over the past several decades. However, the grievances have fallen on deaf ears, he added.
He warned that the farmers would stage a protest demonstration if the engineers do not take steps to strengthen the canals.