WRD sets target to irrigate22L hectares of land in state

Patna: The farmers in the state are facing a drought-like situation in the ongoing paddy plantation season with 44% rain deficit owing to poor to subdued rainfall in June and July this year. In a bid to tackle the challenge, the state water resources department (WRD) has set the target to irrigate 22 lakh hectares of land during the kharif season.“Despite the rainfall shortage in Bihar, the department is diligently working to provide irrigation facilities to a vast area during the kharif season. The efforts encompass canal repairs, silt removal and uninterrupted, equitable water flow to the tail ends of the canals,” WRD minister Sanjay Kumar Jha told TOI on Monday.

The WRD claims the availability of sufficient water in the canals. Besides, six patrolling teams have been formed to inspect Sone, Gandak and Kosi canal systems. These teams conduct on-site inspections in their respective areas. At the Indrapuri barrage on Sone river, 16,237 cusecs water is available. Out of this, the eastern and western Sone canal systems are releasing 4,650 and 10,815 cusecs of water, respectively, providing irrigation facilities to farmers in Aurangabad, Gaya, Arwal, Patna, Rohtas, Kaimur, Buxar and Bhojpur, a WRD official said.At the Valmikinagar barrage on Gandak river, 89,100 cusecs of water is available. Out of this, the eastern and western Gandak canal systems are releasing 8,000 and 14,000 cusecs of water, respectively. Additionally, the Saran main canal is releasing 3,350 cusecs of water, providing irrigation facilities to farmers in West Champaran, East Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Gopalganj, Siwan and Saran.At the Birpur barrage on Kosi river, a total of 1,01,745 cusecs of water is available. Out of this, the eastern and western Kosi canal systems are releasing 8,500 and 5,000 cusecs of water, respectively, providing irrigation facilities to farmers in Supaul, Saharsa, Madhepura, Purnia, Araria, Katihar, Madhubani and Darbhanga, he said and addd: “In the reservoir and weir irrigation schemes, the maximum amount of water is being released based on the availability of water, ensuring that irrigation facilities are provided as per the plan.”Earlier on July 21, chief minister Nitish Kumar had directed the officials to ensure water up to the tail ends of the canals. He had also stressed on regular monitoring of the canals. The Bihar government has put in place several schemes to ensure water in every field to boost production. Several canals have been repaired and silt cleared under the ‘Har khet tak sinchai ka pani’ component of Saat Nischay-2 programme, the official said.