Officials plug breach in Grand Anaicut canal with support from ryots

According to sources, PWD officials said that the discharge from Kallanai was suspended to facilitate the plugging work. PWD workers and farmers successfully repaired the damage portion. So, the release of water might be resumed later in the night. 

The southern bank of canal developed a breach between Kalvirayanpettai and Vairaperumalpatti near Budalur, following an increase in the quantum of water released into the canal. As the breach widened, the water flowing out of the canal inundated vast area of farmlands located nearby. 

Subsequently, the water was diverted into the Kallaperambur lake. Since the current was strong, workers could not stop the flow through the breach. So, the release into the canal was suspended, following which work on plugging the breach was taken up. Higher officials, including Collector A Annadurai, camped at the site throughout the night and supervised the operation. 

Besides workers employed by the PWD, residents and farmers of Kalvirayanpettai and nearby villages also volunteered for the task. As many as 400 people joined the work and the breach was successfully plugged, sources said. 

Meanwhile, farmers alleged that the PWD failed to employ staff to regularly monitor the banks of the canals. They also sought the revenue department officials to immediately remove encroachments along the canal banks.