Canal breach in Mallanna Sagar project floods fields, crops damaged

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.

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.