Awantipora Canal breach: Restoration work in final stage,  water flow likely to resume tomorrow

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Awantipora: In a significant relief to hundreds of distressed farmers, the restoration work on the breached Awantipora canal is in its final stage, with the new channel likely to be charged by tomorrow, officials said on Friday.

The breach that occurred earlier this week had left vast stretches of agricultural land dry at a crucial time, threatening the paddy season across parts of Anantnag and Pulwama districts.

Officials from the Irrigation and Flood Control Department said that a new channel has been constructed and machinery is still operating round-the-clock to ensure the water supply is restored before the paddy transplantation window closes.

“We are hopeful to charge the canal by tomorrow. The new channel is almost ready, and final touches are being given. We are hopeful that we will get success in restoring the flow tomorrow,” said an official supervising the restoration work.

“We have been suffering for days now. The fields are dry, seedlings are ready, and tension was mounting every day,” said Shaheena Bano, a farmer from Awantipora village. “We are happy to see the work is in the final stage. But until we see water in the fields, our worry won’t end.”

Another farmer, Abdul Majid Lone from Anantnag, said, “This canal is our lifeline. Even one missed season can ruin a family’s entire year. Every day counts. We are just praying for water to flow tomorrow.”

The canal breach had also damaged a portion of the High Diversion Road under PMGSY, disrupting vehicular movement between villages. “Due to the road damage, we have been taking long detours through rough terrain. If this isn’t fixed soon, it will add to the farmers’ burden,” said Nazir Ahmad, a local driver.

Ghulam Ahmad Bhat, an elderly farmer from Awantipora, said. “Temporary repairs are important, but what we need is a permanent, durable solution. There should be regular desilting and embankment reinforcement to prevent such breaches.”

Officials said the government remains committed to ensuring that farmers do not miss the transplantation cycle. “Our teams have worked day and night. The final phase is ongoing, and farmers should be able to start transplanting as scheduled,” an official said.

The farmers, meanwhile, are keeping a close watch. “This is the most crucial time of the year for us,” said Bashir Ahmad Dar. “We’ve done our part—prepared the land and seedlings. Now we hope the water returns tomorrow.”—(KNO)