Closure of the Rakh Branch canal will have a devastating impact on agriculture and cause drought in areas irrigated by the canal, said Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Mian Zahid Aslam on Wednesday.
He said the canal was closed in December for de-silting. It has since remained closed after a breach occurred in the canal bank two weeks ago.
The canal irrigates farms in Hafizabad, Nankana Sahib and Faisalabad districts. Arable land in 40 union councils has been severely affected due to the non-availability of canal water for the last three months. Aslam said there was no canal water available during the planting season for wheat, sugarcane and animal fodder crops. “This could lead to de-irrigation of land by the next season and cause drought,” he said. Aslam said canal operation must be immediately restored.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 28th, 2013.
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