It was emphasized in the meeting that a two-pronged strategy needs to be adopted – short-term measures for immediate relief to farmers and long-term structural changes to deal with the adverse effects of climate change. photo: file
RAHIM YAR KHAN:
The annual and semi-annual canal closure (wara bandi) schedule for Rahim Yar Khan district has been announced, during which water supply from Head Panjnad to all canals feeding the district will remain completely suspended from 5 January to 25 January 2026.
Ahead of the closure, farmers and agricultural stakeholders across the district have called on the authorities to use the suspension period for thorough and effective desilting and maintenance of the canal system, warning that continued neglect could have serious consequences for future crops.
Growers have appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Provincial Irrigation Minister Kazim Pirzada to immediately address the deteriorating canal infrastructure and to 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 irrigation system in Rahim Yar Khan in a fragile state, directly affecting agricultural productivity and causing heavy financial losses to growers every year.
They said sediment accumulation and uncontrolled growth of reeds along channel banks have significantly reduced water carrying capacity.
Canals including Abbasiya Link Canal, Dullas Branch, Panjnad Canal, Abbasiya Canal, Sadiq Branch, Adam Sahaba Canal, Aab-e-Hayat Canal and Sheeren Canal, along with several smaller distributary canals, are reportedly clogged with silt and vegetation.
