Markanda breaches near Naisi village, floods over 500 acres of farmland

A breach in the Markanda river near Naisi village in Kurukshetra led to flooding of agricultural fields.

About 500-700 acre of agricultural fields of Naisi and adjoining villages were submerged in the village triggering panic among the village residents and farmers.

After getting information, the officials from the Irrigation Department and district administration reached the spot and started plugging the breach.

Punjab Singh, a resident of Naisi, said, “Earlier the river used to flow smoothly but over the past few years, the river has started overflowing and breaching the embankments. Water enters the agricultural fields and damages crops. In 2023, the village was flooded and repeated requests were made to the administration but to no avail.

Residents said due to heavy flow of water, a breach has occurred and that the administration should find a permanent solution to this problem to minimise losses incurred by the farmers. The embankments must be strengthened.

An official in the Irrigation Department said the pumping of water back into the Markanda was being done and efforts were on to plug the breach.

Similarly, a breach was reported near Jalbera village due to which 50-60 acres of farmland were submerged. A junior engineer of the Irrigation Department said the level of water has started receding. All efforts are being made to plug the breach.

Pehowa SDM Kapil Sharma, who reached Naisi, discussed the issue with the affected farmers and residents and assured them the breach would be repaired soon.

Sharma said, “A breach has occurred in the Markanda near Naisi due to which around 500-700 acres of farm land lies submerged. There is fresh alert, and the river is expected to be stick to its natural course later in the day. The farmers may face some losses in the paddy fields due to indundation. The loss will be assessed. All efforts are being made to drain out the water.”

Haryana Tribune