Canal breach floods farmland in Pakpattan

A major breach measuring around 30 to 40 feet occurred in the Lower Sohag Branch Canal near Head Gurudita in Pakpattan, flooding more than 1,000 acres of agricultural land and affecting several nearby villages.

According to eyewitnesses and local residents, water up to one foot deep entered homes, roads and farmlands, causing widespread damage to crops, infrastructure and residential areas. Villagers said the flooding impacted more than two dozen small and large settlements, including Bareewala Khooh, Patanga, Akal Garth, Tali Wala Khooh, Head Gurdita and Check Shahnawaz.

Residents accused the district administration, irrigation department and emergency services of responding late to the incident. They claimed the breach occurred on Thursday, but officials and heavy machinery reached the site nearly 15 hours later on Friday morning. Locals said only a few irrigation workers were initially present and lacked the resources needed to control the situation.

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Villagers attempted to stop the flow using sandbags, bamboo, tree branches and tractor trolleys, but strong water pressure defeated their efforts. Floodwater damaged standing crops, including maize, rice, fodder, potatoes and harvested wheat stored in fields. Houses, orchards, graveyards and village roads were also affected.

Officials from Rescue 1122, irrigation authorities, police and other departments later joined efforts to plug the breach. Irrigation officials said the department lacked emergency heavy machinery and had to arrange equipment from private contractors, contributing to the delay.

Authorities estimated that the canal discharge at the time of the breach was between 350 and 380 cusecs. Damage assessments will begin after repair work is completed.

Meanwhile, Rescue 1122 continued a search operation for a woman and her seven-year-old son who reportedly drowned in the Lower Bari Doab Canal after the child slipped into the water and his mother jumped in to save him.