Sirsa villages struggle with severe water shortage amid canal closure

Many villages across Sirsa district are facing a serious drinking water crisis due to a canal closure since March 25. The canal shutdown was planned for repair work on the Bhakra main branch. Water supply is expected to resume only by April 21. Until then, residents in the rural areas are struggling with dry taps. They have very limited access to clean water.

Before the canal was closed, the Irrigation Department filled storage tanks in each village. That stored water has run out. While urban areas in Sirsa city are still receiving water twice every day, many villages are now depending on tubewells and whatever little water remains in damaged storage tanks.

In Taruana village near Kalanwali, the situation is quite bad. Two out of the three tanks in the village have developed cracks from which water leaks. The third tank is too small to store enough water. The pipeline that brings water from the canal to tanks is also damaged. This will make it difficult to refill tanks once water supply is restored.

In Faggu village, angry residents submitted a demand letter to officials, asking for urgent repairs and upgrade of the water supply system.

In Rori village, the situation is worse as residents are spending Rs 500 to Rs 600 per tanker to buy water from private sources. The shortage is affecting not just families, but also their livestock, making daily life even more difficult.

The problem is widespread in areas like Nathusari Chaupta, where villages such as Kheri, Gusaiana, Kutana, Jamal, Baruwali, Barasari, Gudiakhera and Dhookra receive water only once every three days. The outdated water supply systems are unable to meet the rising demand during the hot summer months.

Local leaders like sarpanch Ramphal Singh and Raghuvir Singh have demanded that the government must step in to ensure regular water supply and immediately repair damaged infrastructure in villages.

Pawan Bhardwaj, Senior Engineer (SE), Irrigation Circle, Sirsa, explained that the water shortage was due to a planned shutdown of canal. He said the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) had stopped the water supply from March 25 to April 20 for repair work. That’s why canals were dry, he said. Before shutdown, all village water tanks in the district were filled and people were informed in advance about stopping water supply, he said. He said water would be available again from April 21 onwards and after that, all village tanks would be refilled. Meanwhile, the Public Health Engineering Department has been asked to deliver water via tankers to the worst-affected areas in district.

Haryana Tribune