Narmada Valley department’s negligence ruins crops:Farmers in Vindhya–Mahakaushal face crisis; say warnings were ignored for 2 months

Panic gripped Sagda-Jhapni village on Sunday afternoon after the right bank canal burst, creating flood-like conditions. Strong water currents washed away standing crops of wheat, peas, and lentils. As administrative officials reached the spot, angry farmers confronted them, alleging repeated warnings about the damaged canal had been ignored by officials and the sarpanch for days. Villagers blamed the negligence of the Narmada Valley Development Department (NVDD), saying farmers in Jabalpur, Satna, and Rewa have been pushed to the brink of ruin. Acting on the Collector’s instructions, officials have now begun surveying the damaged crops. Flood-like deluge Negligence of Narmada Valley development Farmer Sohan Lal said water had been leaking from the canal near the village for a long time, a fact well known to Narmada Valley Development Department (NVDD) officials. He said leakage from both sides was reported two years ago, and for the past 15 days canal water had been flowing into the Harrai drain. He blamed NVDD officials for the breach, saying farmers in Jabalpur suffered crop damage due to waterlogging, while farmers in Satna and Rewa now face losses due to drought. After the breach, water flow from the dam was stopped, meaning water will no longer reach further areas, and crops may dry up. Abhishek Dubey of Sagda-Chhapni village said his wheat crop on 60 acres was completely submerged after the canal burst. Angry over the losses, he argued with the Tehsildar and Patwari during the damage survey, saying officials ignored earlier warnings, arrived only after the damage, and would offer meagre compensation after paperwork. Hundreds of acres of crop on the verge of rotting
Since Sunday afternoon, the flow of water from the dam into the canal has been stopped, yet water continues to flood fields. Thousands of acres of wheat, gram, and lentil crops remain submerged. Farmer Tulsi Ram, who owns four acres and depends entirely on farming, said he had taken a loan to sow his crops, all of which were destroyed after the canal burst. Now struggling to repay the loan, he said the damage could have been avoided if the canal had been repaired in time. Farmers will be ruined from all sides Crops will also be destroyed in Katni, Satna, and Rewa It was learned on Sunday that the Collector had ordered canal repair work to begin from Monday, but no work started. Narendra expressed regret that neither the local MLA nor any other leader visited the spot. He said wheat was sown on 80–90 acres and farmers depended entirely on canal water; with supply stopped, the crop is sure to be destroyed. He blamed the Narmada Valley Development Department’s negligence, saying not just thousands but millions of acres of crops have been affected. Farmers in Jabalpur, Katni, Satna, and Rewa depend on this canal, and with water release from the dam halted, crop losses are inevitable. Bridge also under threat
A bridge over the canal connecting Sagda-Jhapni with nearby villages has also come under threat after the canal burst on Sunday. Fast-flowing water has eroded the soil beneath the bridge, causing cracks. Villagers say the bridge needs urgent repairs. Ramesh Kushwaha urged the administration to closely monitor both the canal and the bridge. Drone survey underway
On the Collector’s instructions, the SDM and Tehsildar reached the site on Monday and began surveying crop damage using drones. Tehsildar Poornima Khandayat said villagers had earlier reported leakage, which worsened on Sunday. The cause is under investigation. Crop damage is currently being assessed in six villages and may be extended to more areas. Right bank canal and its reach
Water from the Right Bank Canal of Jabalpur’s Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi Sagar Project (Bargi Dam) flows through Jabalpur to Katni, Rewa, and Satna, irrigating about 2,45,010 hectares (CCA). The canal mainly supports Rabi crops in these districts. Leakage also reported in left bank canal Canal length: Approximately 197.40 km along the main canal, with its branch canals extending for thousands of kilometers. Irrigation area: This project primarily supplies water for irrigation to the drought-prone areas of Jabalpur, Katni, Rewa, and Satna. Irrigation capacity: Approximately 2,45,0102 hectares.
Purpose of irrigation: The main objective of this canal is to irrigate Rabi crops in the command areas of these districts.
Through the canal water supply, water is provided to the domestic and industrial sectors of Jabalpur and Katni cities.