It was emphasized at the meeting that a two-pronged strategy should be adopted: short-term measures to provide immediate relief to farmers and long-term structural changes to address the adverse effects of climate change. photo: file
RAHIM YAR KHAN:
The annual and half-yearly canal closure (wara bandi) schedule for Rahim Yar Khan district has been announced, according to which water supply from Head Panjnad to all canals supplying the district will remain completely suspended from January 5 to 25, 2026.
Ahead of the closure, farmers and agricultural stakeholders in the district urged authorities to use the suspension period for comprehensive and effective desilting and maintenance of the canal system, warning that continued neglect could have serious consequences on upcoming crops.
The growers have called on Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Provincial Irrigation Minister Kazim Pirzada to immediately take cognizance of the deteriorating canal infrastructure and formulate a transparent, comprehensive and result-oriented plan for annual desilting of the entire canal network originating from Head Panjnad.
According to farmers, years of poor maintenance and ineffective desilting have left the Rahim Yar Khan irrigation system in a fragile state, directly affecting agricultural productivity and causing heavy financial losses to producers every year.
They said the buildup of sediment and uncontrolled growth of reeds along the canal’s banks have significantly reduced water-carrying capacity.
The canals, including Abbasiya Link Canal, Dullas Branch, Panjnad Canal, Abbasiya Canal, Sadiq Branch, Adam Sahaba Canal, Aab-e-Hayat Canal and Sheeren Canal, as well as several minor distributaries, are said to be blocked by silt and vegetation.
