Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 26: The Jal Shakti (I&FC) Department has successfully restored water supply into Kathua Canal following temporary restoration works necessitated by recent flood damages.
The Kathua Canal takes off from Kashmir Canal (originating from Madhopur barrage and being maintained by Punjab Government) at Chukander feeder near Jagatpur and carries a discharge of 400 cusecs covering a Culturable Command Area (CCA) of 8463 hectares.
The recent unprecedented floods in Sahar Khad, triggered by a cloud burst in its catchment, had caused major damage to Kathua Canal resulting in washing away of its both embankments for a length of 100 m, filling of debris in a stretch of 280 m and Sahar Khad syphon besides damage to its protection works.
The situation was further compounded by a subsequent flood in river Ravi which resulted in a major breach on its right bank upstream of Madhopur barrage causing severe damage to Kashmir Canal for a length of 190 m near DDC building at Lakhanpur, leading to complete disruption of water supply to the Kathua Canal.
Consequently, irrigation supply to villages— Chak Rijju, Chak Sona Nupa, Sumwan, Patyari, Palli, Mahi Chak, Nihalpur, Badala, Changrawn, etc had been completely disrupted. This situation posed a grave threat to the standing kharif crops.
Acting on the directions of Minister for Jal Shakti Department Javed Ahmed Rana and the Financial Commissioner (ACS) Shaleen Kabra, the department promptly initiated the temporary restoration work of Kathua Canal which was completed on 04-10-2025. Simultaneously, the matter was also taken up with the Punjab authorities for restoration of Kashmir Canal which feeds Kathua Canal.
Although, the I&FC Department Jammu was ready to release water in Kathua Canal after its temporary restoration on 04.10.2025, however the water could be released today only subsequent to the completion of temporary restoration of the Kashmir Canal, after continuous persuasion, by Punjab authorities.
However, heavy rainfall from 05.10.2025 to 07.10.2025 completely met the immediate water requirement of the farmers as such there was no more demand of water for the standing crops. But now with the timely release of water, the farmers can plan for future activities of forthcoming rabi crop season without any uncertainty.
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