BAHAWALPUR, Aug 26: Shortage of canal water in the district is feared to adversely affect sowing of next wheat crop. The shortage of water is mainly due to fall in water level in most of the country's rivers , whose catchment areas have not received enough rains during the current monsoon.

The cultivation of the wheat crop is expected to start by Sept 15 in the district, which is well short of canal water even for the cotton crop. However, according to experts, two rains here in the last week have improved the situation for cotton.

The irrigation department has warned the wheat cultivators of the danger and urged them to switch to alternative water resources, which includes the purchase of tubewell water.

Meanwhile, the department claims that the cotton crop is in a healthy condition, as no pest attack has been reported from any place. According to co-operative department, loans to the tune of Rs15 million have been advanced to the cotton growers in Bahawalpur.

FLOOD WATER: The flood water of the Ghaggar River, which has reportedly entered Pakistan from Fort Abbas, has proved beneficial for standing cotton crop at Chak 40, 41 and 42 in Bahawalnagar.

"The flood water has proved a blessing in disguise for the farmers, who otherwise are not finding enough water to irrigate the cotton crop," believe agriculturists. They claim that the water has not affected residential areas because the route was diverted many years ago to the areas of Cholistan.

MOTORCYCLE TAKEN AWAY: Three robbers in police uniform drove away with the motorcycle of Yazman town committee's former chairman Ali Akbar after snatching keys from him on Wednesday night.