Canal breach: Hundreds of acres of land inundated

A breach in the Hemavathi Left Bank Canal has left hundreds of acres of land inundated, resulting in huge loss to farmers of the taluk.

The breach was spotted at 98th kilometre of the canal on Monday morning, with water gushing into the farmlands, destroying paddy, sugarcane and other crops. Agricultural lands at Basadihalli, Bekka, B Bolenahalli, Devarahalli, Shravaneri, Jathenahalli and surrounding villages are affected.

Water overflowed on the road connecting Ragibommenahalli and Bekka villages, disrupting vehicular movement. About 5,500 fishes bred at a pond belonging to one R K Shivappa were washed away.

Shivappa, who noticed the canal breach during the early hours of Monday, immediately informed the engineer concerned over phone. MLA C N Balakrishna and Tahsildar K Krishna visited the spot and directed the officials concerned to take necessary steps.

Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Executive Engineer H C Narayan, who visited the spot, said the water flow into the canal has been stopped. Necessary steps have been taken to divert the water between 72nd km and 82nd km of the canal, he said.

Narayan said that 1,100 cusec of water was being released into the canal. A small hole was created after 15 days of the release of water and was found leaking. As they assumed that it would not pose a danger, it was left unattended. But, the hole got widened, resulting in the breach of the canal on Monday. Works would be taken soon and be completed within a week, he added.

Water Resources Department, in association with the Revenue Department, will take up a joint survey of the crop loss, he added.