Canal breach in Mallanna Sagar project floods fields, farmers allege negligence

A breach in the Mallanna Sagar main canal near Yellareddypet village flooded paddy fields in Thoguta mandal, damaging crops over 20 acres. Farmers alleged negligence by irrigation officials and demanded compensation for crop loss and sand removal.

Siddipet: The main canal of the Mallanna Sagar project suffered a breach due to alleged negligence by irrigation officials near Yellareddypet village in Thoguta mandal late on Tuesday night, hours after the Irrigation Department released water to the ayacut.

The released water flooded adjoining paddy fields, causing heavy losses to farmers. According to them, crops in over 20 acres were damaged, with sand piling up across the affected fields.

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Accusing the officials of negligence, the farmers said water was released despite the canal bund being weak at the location. As the release took place late on Tuesday night, they noticed the breach only on Wednesday morning, by which time extensive damage had already occurred.

They alleged that irrigation officials had failed to take up desilting of the canals during the last summer, which contributed to the breach. The farmers demanded that the government extend compensation not only for crop loss but also for removal of sand deposits from their fields.