SWABI: Growers here on Thursday demanded of irrigation department to release water into local canals as its delay would badly impact yield of wheat crop and different vegetables in the district.

They told this scribe that it was not possible for them to irrigate their crops without releasing water into the canals. They said that officials didn’t understand the difficulties of farmers, who knew that they could not expect a better yield without timely irrigation and use of fertiliser and pesticides.

Munsif Khan, a leader of the farmers of Maneri Bala region, said that they were hoping that water would be released soon for irrigating the wheat crop, which according to agriculture officials should be irrigated after 20 days of its sowing but their crop did not get water for the last 40 days.

Flanked by other farmers, he said that it was responsibility of irrigation department to take prompt action and release water into the canals.

Hamza Khan, another farmer, alleged that officials of irrigation department did not cooperate with them due to which they were facing many difficulties in irrigating their crops. He said that practical steps should be taken to resolve the problems of growers.

Fazal Rabi, an official of irrigation department handling the water releasing into the canal, didn’t respond despite repeated attempts by this scribe to contact him.

FOG: The district headquarters and its suburbs experienced dense fog on Thursday amid cold weather.

The residents of the areas situated along the bank of Indus River are reeling under biting cold as temperature in these villages has dropped significantly, forcing people to stay indoors. Dense fog has multiplied the problems of people living in those areas. The foggy condition has reduced visibility and Rescue 1122 has issued special instructions to avoid road accidents.

The district emergency officer, Awais Babar, has advised drivers and people to follow precautions to avoid road accidents during foggy weather. He said that people should not travel unnecessarily in the foggy weather. He said that drivers should keep their headlights switched on, drive at medium speed and follow travel instructions.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2024