GOVERNMENT OF THE PUNJAB IRRIGATION DEPARTMENT

CASE STUDY ON

BREACHES IN IRRIGATION CHANNELS, CAUSES AND REMEDIAL MEASURES

BY:

(Engr. Syed Iftikhar Hussain) Assistant Design Engineer Irrigation Zone Bahawalpur, Pakistan. E-mail: syed_ifi@yahoo.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT................................................................................................ 3 ABSTRACT..................................................................................................................... 4 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 5 OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................ 6 CHAPTER-1, CANAL BREACHES IRRIGATION NETWORK IN SOUTHERN PUNJAB ................................................... 7 SALIENT FEATURES OF BAHAWALPUR IRRIGATION ZONE................................ 8 DIVISION-WISE LIST OF BREACHES OCCURRED DURING KHARIF 2011 ....... 9 FORDWAH CANAL DIVISION, BAHAWALNAGAR CIRCLE..................................... 9 SADIQIA CANAL DIVISION, BAHAWALNAGAR...................................................... 11 HAKRA CANAL DIVISION, BAHAWALNAGAR ........................................................ 11 AHMADPUR CANAL DIVISION, BAHAWALPUR ..................................................... 12 RAHIMYARKHAN CANAL DIVISION, RAHIMYARKHAN ........................................ 16 KHANPUR CANAL DIVISION, RAHIMYARKHAN .................................................... 17 DALLAS CANAL DIVISION, RAHIMYARKHAN........................................................ 17 DIVISION-WISE ABSTRACT...................................................................................... 18 CHAPTER-2, CAUSES OF BREACHES OCCURRENCE OF BREACHES DUE TO NATURAL DISASTERS........................ 19 RAINS ....................................................................................................................... 19 WINDSTORM ........................................................................................................... 19 FALLING OF DEAD AND HOLLOW TREES......................................................... 19 OCCURRENCE OF BREACHES DUE TO HUMAN INTERFERENCE................... 20 OBSTRUCTION OF FLOW BY VARIOUS MEANS ............................................... 20 CUTTING OF BANKS OR EVEN REMOVING OF PIPE OUTLETS........................ 20 TAMPERING HEADS OF CHANNELS OR ESCAPES ............................................. 21 CROSSINGS THROUGH CHANNELS....................................................................... 21 ENCROACHING CANAL BANKS ............................................................................... 21 UNAUTHORIZED USE OF SERVICE ROADS ......................................................... 21 BREACHING BANKS DUE TO PIPING..................................................................... 22 BREACHING OF BANKS FROM INSTABILITY........................................................ 22 POOR COMPACTION OF BANKS ............................................................................. 22 DAMAGE OF BANKS DUE TO SUDDEN DRAW-DOWN ....................................... 23 VEGETATION GROWTH ............................................................................................ 23 CONSTRUCTION OF WATER COURSES ALONG THE CHANNELS .................... 23 CHAPTER-3, CLOSING OF BREACHES, METHODS AND STEPS CLOSING OF BREACHES IN MAIN CANALS AND MAJOR DISTRIBUTARIES .. 24 CLOSING OF BREACHES IN DISTRIBUTARIES / MINORS HAVING LESS THAN 100 Cs. DISCHARGE ................................................................................................. 26 CHAPTER-4, REMEDIAL MEASURES TAKEN TO AVOID BREACHES REMEDIAL MEASURES TAKEN TO AVOID BREACHES 27 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................. 29 RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................... 30

BREACHES IN IRRIGATION CHANNELS, CAUSES AND REMEDIAL MEASURES

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First of all special thank goes to Engr. Irshad Ahmad Sukhera, Executive Engineer (Operation), Irrigation Zone Bahawalpur who encouraged and supported me to work on the dissertation, Breaches in Irrigation Channels, Causes and Remedial Measures. His supervision gave truly help the progression and smoothness to work on the topic. His cooperation is much appreciated indeed. My grateful thanks also go to Engr. Syed Arjad Hussain Jafri, Chief Engineer, Irrigation Zone Bahawalpur who appreciated the effort and guided in making the contents of the topic and applauded to explore my knowledge and to concise my accumulative experience in finalization of the work. Last but not least I myself wish to avail this opportunity to express a sense of gratitude and love to Syed Zahid Hussain Naqvi, Superintendent, Irrigation Zone Bahawalpur for his parallel assistance in collecting the data and Mr. Sajid Nazir, Incharge Computer Cell, Zonal Office, Irrigation Bahawalpur for demonstrating his passion in compilation and composing of the task.

Engr. Syed Iftikhar Hussain

E-mail: syed_ifi@yahoo.com
November 03, 2011

BREACHES IN IRRIGATION CHANNELS, CAUSES AND REMEDIAL MEASURES

ABSTRACT
Results of breaches may include loss of property due to flooding, wave attack, and erosion; loss of navigability in adjacent inlets sharing the same water body as breach; destruction of roads, high-ways, utilities, and other infrastructure; and creation of environmental concern over loss of habitat and unwanted increases or decreases in water level and salinity. Breaches usually enlarge rapidly, increasing the complexity and cost of closing the breach with time. Therefore, it is often desirable to close breaches in the most timely and efficient possible manners. The case study on the topic will review the technical note / document learned through experiences with breaches occurred during the Kharif 2011 in Irrigation Zone Bahawalpur. Experience has taught that breach closures require the quickest possible response to minimize cost. What may start as a small breach that could easily be plugged by conventional methods can become a large inlet requiring millions of rupees to fill. Rapid response is supported through effective interagency coordination. Efficient closure of breaches is facilitated by proper timing of the fill operation. Breach closures may need to be properly filled, strengthen and then reinforced by formation of berms along the breach site in designed width to protect against erosion or reoccurrence.

BREACHES IN IRRIGATION CHANNELS, CAUSES AND REMEDIAL MEASURES

INTRODUCTION
The irrigation water is delivered to the field through barrages, main canals, branch canals, distributaries, minors, sub minors and outlets. The irrigation System of Punjab consists of about 23,184 miles length of canals, which command Culture able Commanded Area (CCA) of about 21 million acres. The 24 canal systems, which have a total capacity of 1.10 lac cusecs, draw their allocated discharges from 14 barrages of the Punjab. The barrages also control diversion of supplies to the inter-river link canals which transfer the water of the western rivers to the eastern rivers to cater for irrigation systems off taking from these rivers. The water from the rivers is diverted to Main Canals / Link Canals from Barrages and head Regulators and distributed to the farmers fields through 58,000 outlets after flowing through the lengthy irrigation net-work.

Networks of irrigation canals are used to convey, distribute, and apply water to the land. A canal in the network may be a rigid boundary (lined) canal or a mobile boundary (unlined) canal. However, breaches in lined or unlined channels may cause huge losses to the irrigation system, public and private property. This problem has become a major challenge for the Engineers of Irrigation Department to combat alarming situation for the succeeding years. Consequently, lining is being provided to overcome the frequent breaches occurred in the mobile boundary channels due to different causes / reasons. This paper will illustrate causes / reasons for occurring breaches in the mobile boundary channels and their remedial measures to overcome any unpleasant situation.

BREACHES IN IRRIGATION CHANNELS, CAUSES AND REMEDIAL MEASURES

OBJECTIVES
Objectives of writing a paper on the topic, Breaches in Irrigation Channels, Causes and Remedial Measures are to develop a framework: To know causes / reasons of occurrence of breaches in mobile boundary channels. To ensure adopting remedial measures to avoid any unpleasant situation occurred in case of mishap. To ensure proper watching / maintenance of channels to avoid such incidents. To save the public as well as private property to be damaged by occurring breaches. To minimize human misery and sufferings. To save water wasted through breaches. To protect the Irrigation Network. To save huge cost used in closing of breaches.

CHAPTER 1

CANAL BREACHES

Breach can be defined as an opening, a tear or a rupture to a substance. Explicitly, in terms of canal irrigation, it advances to a gap or rift especially in or as if in a soil / solid structure such as a dike or fortification.

IRRIGATION NETWORK IN SOUTHERN PUNJAB

The Bahawalpur Irrigation Zone basically comprises three Districts i..e Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur and Rahimyarkhan, and the area in these systems mostly fall within jurisdiction of Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur and Rahimyarkhan Canal Circles respectively. At present Bahawalpur Irrigation Zone gets irrigation supplies from Terbela and Mangla Command. Panjnad Canal system receives water from Terbela command while the Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar Districts receive supplies from Mangla command. Sometimes the water from Terbela command is diverted to Mangla command via CJ Link. District Bahawalnagar, District Bahawalpur and District Rahimyarkhan receive supply from Suleimanki Headworks, Islam Headworks / SMB Link Canal and Panjnad Headworks respectively.

CHAPTER 1

CANAL BREACHES

SALIENT FEATURES OF BAHAWALPUR IRRIGATION ZONE

SR. NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Channels

DESCRIPTION

DETAIL 549 No. 725 Miles 3860 Miles. 401 Miles 509 No. 12499 No. 12.80 M. Acres 4.506 M. Acres 3.989 M. Acres 29,767 cfs

Length of Main Canals, Branches and Link Canals Length of Disty, Minors and Sub-Minors Length of lined Channels Tails Outlets Total area Total G.C.A Total C.C.A Total Designed discharge i) Perennial ii) Non-Perennial

13,124 cfs 16,643 cfs

CHAPTER 1

CANAL BREACHES

DIVISION-WISE KHARIF 2011

LIST

OF

BREACHES

OCCURRED

DURING

Case study is proceeded on the data of canal breaches occurred in the Irrigation Zone Bahawalpur during the Kharif 2011 to come up to a conclusion. Division-wise data of breaches is tabulated below:

FORDWAH CANAL DIVISION, BAHAWALNAGAR CIRCLE

Sr. Name of Channel No. 1 Mureed Disty 2 Pir Garh Disty 3 Pir Garh Disty 4 Fateh Garh Disty 5 Mureed Disty 6 Mureed Disty 7 Mureed Disty 8 Chabiana Minor 9 Mureed Disty 10 Saru Disty 11 Saru Disty 12 Darbari Disty 13 Chabiana Minor 14 Chabiana Minor 15 Noshehra Disty Date of Occurrence 04.05.2011 07.05.2011 07.05.2011 08.05.2011 08.05.2011 09.05.2011 10.05.2011 10.05.2011 10.05.2011 11.05.2011 11.05.2011 11.05.2011 16.05.2011 16.05.2011 16.05.2011 Breach / Cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut RD 38-39 14-15 17-18 2-3 39-40 22-23 37-38 12-13 32-33 1-2 6-7 50-51 40-41 16975 24-25 Side Causes

R Cut made by Zimandar R Cut made by Zimandar L L L Cut made by Zimandar Cut made by Zimandar Cut made by Zimandar

R Cut made by Zimandar R Cut made by Zimandar R Cut made by Zimandar R Cut made by Zimandar R Cut made by Zimandar R Cut made by Zimandar R Cut made by Zimandar R Cut made by Zimandar R Cut made by Zimandar R Cut made by Zimandar

CHAPTER 1

CANAL BREACHES
16 Noshehra Disty 17 Saru Disty 18 Saru Disty 19 Saru Disty New Saeed wala 20 Disty Shehar Fareed 21 Disty 22 Soda Disty 23 Masood Disty 24 Soda Disty 25 Azeem Disty 26 Darbari Disty 27 Mirza Disty 28 Mirza Disty 29 Saru Disty 30 Saru Disty 31 Saru Disty 32 Saru Disty 33 Dona Disty 34 Habibka Minor 35 Chabiana Minor 36 Chabiana Minor 37 1-R/ESC 38 Lower Bair Dy. 39 Lower Bair Dy. 40 Shehar Fareed Disty 16.05.2011 17.05.2011 17.05.2011 17.05.2011 30.04.2011 04.05.2011 04.05.2012 22.05.2011 25.05.2011 30.05.2011 08.06.2011 08.06.2011 18.06.2011 06.06.2011 06.06.2011 06.06.2011 06.06.2011 04.06.2011 01.06.2011 08.06.2011 16.06.2011 08.06.2011 29-30/06.011 29-30/06.011 09.06.2011 03.07.2011 23-24/07/011 17-08-2011 cut cut cut cut cut Breach Breach cut cut Breach Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Breach Cut Cut Breach 23-24 2-3 2-3 6-7 5-6 10-11 12-13 8-9 10-11 66-77 60-61 0-1 30-31 27-27 25-26 23-24 7-8 14-15 15-16 19-20 22-23 3-4 101-102 108570 22-23 2-3 108570 87-88 L Cut made by Zimandar

R Cut made by Zimandar R Cut made by Zimandar R Cut made by Zimandar R Weak side/Ghatt site R Excess Supply R Excess Supply R Theft of water L Theft of water R Cut Cut mad by L Zameendar L Cut made by Zimandar R Cut made by Zimandar L L Cut made by Zimandar Cut made by Zimandar

R Cut made by Zimandar R Cut made by Zimandar L L Cut made by Zimandar Cut made by Zimandar

R Cut made by Zimandar R Cut made by Zimandar R Cut made by Zimandar R Cut made by Zimandar R Cut made by Zimandar R Leakage R Cut by Zimindar R Cut by Zimindar L Heavy rain fall 10

41 Chabiana Minor 42 Lower bair Disty 43 Fordwah Disty

CHAPTER 1

CANAL BREACHES
SADIQIA CANAL DIVISION, BAHAWALNAGAR
Sr. No. 1 2 3 Name of Channel Jalwala Disty Jalwala Disty Murad Disty Date of Occurrence 09.05.2011 18-19/06.2011 26-27/06.2011 Breach / Cut Breach Cut Cut

RD

Side

Causes Due to daff made by Irrigators Cut made by irrigators Cut made by irrigators

14-15 47-48 28-29

L R R

HAKRA CANAL DIVISION, BAHAWALNAGAR

Sr. Name of No. Channel 1 1L/3R Minor 2 3R Disty Date of Occurrence 12.04.2011 07.07.2011 Breach / Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut RD 27-28 70-71 119-120 113-114 29-30 16-17 8-9 8-9 8-9 59-60 17-18 Side L R L L R R R R L L L Causes Cut made by Zimindars Cut made by Zimindars Cut made by Zimindars Cut made by Zimindars Cut made by Zimindars Cut made by Zimindars Cut made by Zimindars Cut made by Zimindars Cut made by Zimindars Cut made by Zimindars Cut made by Zimindars

3 Hakra Branch 30.07.2011 4 6R Disty 1L/1L/6R Minor 6 2L/6R Minor 5 7 5R Disty 8 5R Disty 9 2L/Hakra Br. 10 7R Disty 11 7R Disty 02.07.2011 30.05.2011 28.09.2011 03.10.2011 01.10.2011 29.09.2011 10.07.2011 08.08.2011

11

CHAPTER 1

CANAL BREACHES
AHMADPUR CANAL DIVISION, BAHAWALPUR
Sr. No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 Date of Occurrence Abbasia Link Canal 01.04.2011 Abbasia Link Canal 01.04.2011 2-L/1-L/AC 04.04.2011 Abbasia Link Canal 10.04.2011 Basit Minor 10.04.2011 2-R/AC 15.04.2011 1-L/AC 17.04.2011 1-L/1-L/AC 17.04.2011 1-L/1-L/AC 17.04.2011 1-L/1-L/AC 17.04.2011 1-L/1-L/AC 17.04.2011 1-L/1-L/AC 17.04.2011 1-L/1-L/AC 17.04.2011 1-L/1-L/AC 17.04.2011 1-L/1-L/AC 17.04.2011 1-L/1-L/AC 17.04.2011 1-L/1-L/AC 17.04.2011 1-L/1-L/AC 17.04.2011 1-L/1-L/AC 17.04.2011 1-L/1-L/AC 23.04.2011 1-L/1-L/AC 23.04.2011 Abbasia Link Canal 23.04.2011 1L/Ac 06.05.2011 1L/Ac 08.05.2011 1R/Ac 11-12.05.2011 1R/Ac 12-13.05.2011 3R/Ac 14-15.05.2011 1L/Ac 20-21.05.2011 1L/Ac 20-21.052011 1L/Ac 22.05.2011 1L/6L 06.05.2011 1R/6L 08.05.2011 1R/6L 08.05.2011 Name of Channel Breach / Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut RD. 190-191 194-195 52400 189-190 0-1 98000 71-72 63000 707500 75500 79750 92000 63400 75500 70500 87-88 81000 79750 89-90 52-53 64-65 199-200 71-72 71-72 23400 23400 2180 45700 46210 110300 9-10 15-16 15-16 Side L L R L R L R R L L L R L L L L R L L R R L L L L L R R L L L L R Causes Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar

12

CHAPTER 1

CANAL BREACHES
Sr. No. 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 Name of Channel 1L/AP 1L/AP 5L/AP 4L/AP 1R/AP 1R/AP 3L/AP Uch Disty Bahawal Wah Bahawal Wah Sultan Wah L/AP 1L/6L 52/AP 1L/AP 1R/AP 6L/AP 3L/AP 3L/AP 1-L/6-L Bahawal Wah Uch Disty 1L/AC 1L/AC 1R/AC ALC ALC ALC 2L/1L/AC 2L/1L/AC 5R/AC ALC 1-L/1-L/AC 1-L/AC Date of Occurrence 10.05.2011 12.05.2011 13.05.2011 14.05.2011 23.05.2011 26.05.2011 11.05.2011 03.05.2011 05.05.2011 11.05.2011 21.05.2011 04.06.2011 03.06.2011 07.06.2011 06.06.2011 12.06.2011 14.06.2011 22.06.2011 22.06.2011 19.06.2011 01.06.2011 13.06.2011 02.06.2011 07.06.2011 0906.2011 10.06.2011 14.06.2011 14.06.2011 14.06.2011 14.06.2011 21.06.2011 21.06.2011 21.06.2011 24.06.2011 Breach / Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Breach Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut

RD. 26-27 30-31 24600 19125 65-66 22.23 35-36 127-128 126060 122230 57-58 30-31 15-16 18-19 59901 18-19 144700 60516 63125 6-7 120-121 108-109 90000 38000 46200 179300 117-118 194-195 33700 52400 11786 179-180 66-67 38000

Side L L R L L R R R L L L R R L L L R L R L R R R R L L L L R R L R L R

Causes Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar

13

CHAPTER 1

CANAL BREACHES
Sr. Name of No. Channel 68 1-L/AC 69 2L/1L/AC 70 1-L/AP 71 3L/AP 72 6L/AP 73 3L/AP 74 6L/AP 75 1R/6-L/AP 76 5-L/AP 77 2-R/6-L 78 6L/AP 79 6L/AP 80 3L/AP 81 4-L/AP 82 1-L/3-L/AP 83 3L/AP 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 Uch Disty Bahawal Wah Sultan Wah 2L/1L/AC 2L/1L/AC 2L/1L/AC 1-L/AC Mamoon Minor 1-L/1-L/AC 7-R/AC 1-R/1-L/AC 6L/AP 1R/AP 1L/AP Date of Occurrence 24.06.2011 25.06.2011 20.06.2011 29.06.2011 01.06.0211 05.06.2011 10.06.2011 11.06.2011 11.06.2011 13.06.2011 14.06.2011 14.06.2011 21.07.2011 17.07.2011 18.07.2011 20.07.2011 17.07.2011 22.07.2011 25.07.2011 08.07.2011 08.07.2011 08.07.2011 08.07.2011 09.07.2011 11.07.2011 17.07.2011 29.07.2011 09.08.2011 02.08.2011 03.08.2011 Breach / Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut RD. 72-73 47000 6-7 15-16 143-144 12-13 149-150 16-17 13-14 12-13 144-145 142-143 26-27 47-48 4-5 26-27 38-39 122-123 92-93 34500 47000 46000 72-73 5452 5253 75100 37-38 134-135 2675 26-27 Side R R R L L R L R R R R L R R R R L R L L R L R L R L R L L L Causes Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar

14

CHAPTER 1

CANAL BREACHES
Sr. No. Name of Channel Date of Occurrence 04.08.2011 08.08.2011 12.08.2011 14.08.2011 20.08.2011 22.08.2011 26.08.2011 28.08.2011 25.08.2011 02.08.2011 02.08.2011 08.08.2011 09.08.2011 15.08.2011 Breach / Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut RD. Side Causes

98 1-L/6-L/AP 99 1-L/4-L/ AP 100 4-L/ AP 101 4-L/ AP 102 4-L/ AP 103 1R/AP 104 5L/AP 105 5L/AP 106 2R/AP 107 1L/AC 108 1R/AC 109 ALC 110 ALC 111 2L/1L/AC

04-05 12-13 45-46 29-30 81-82 20-21 53725 53725 5-6 90000 13-14 103500 103500 52400

R R R R R R R R R R R L L R

Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar Cut mad by zimindar

15

CHAPTER 1

CANAL BREACHES
RAHIMYARKHAN CANAL DIVISION, RAHIMYARKHAN
Sr. No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Name of Channel Date of Occurrence Breach / Cut Breach Breach Breach Breach Breach Breach Breach Breach Breach Breach Breach Breach Breach Breach Breach Breach Breach RD. 83-84 42000 31-42 57-85 60-61 63-64 6-7 0-1 20-21 29-30 9-10 35-36 45-46 2-3 9-10 9-10 81-82 Side R L L R R L R L R R R L R R R L L Causes Due to fixing pipe Due to heavy rain Due to heavy rain Due to heavy rain Due to heavy rain Due to heavy rain Due to heavy rain Due to heavy rain Due to heavy rain Due to heavy rain Due to heavy rain Due to heavy rain Due to heavy rain Due to heavy rain Due to heavy rain Due to heavy rain Due to heavy rain

Rahimyarkhan Branch 31.08.2011 Sinawar Minor Sinawar Minor Sinawar Minor Sinawar Minor Sinawar Minor 31.08.2011 31.08.2011 31.08.2011 31.08.2011 31.08.2011

Chandrami Sub Minor 31.08.2011 Akil Sub Minor Talla Disty 31.08.2011 31.08.2011 31.08.2011 31.08.2011 31.08.2011 31.08.2011 31.08.2011 31.08.2011 31.08.2011 31.08.2011

10 Talla Disty 11 Chamman Disty. 12 Chamman Minor. 13 Kandera Disty 14 1L Kandera 15 1R Kandera 16 Lakhi Minor 17 Tarinda Disty

16

CHAPTER 1

CANAL BREACHES
KHANPUR CANAL DIVISION, RAHIMYARKHAN
Sr. Name of Channel No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Minchin Branch Date of Occurrence 26/27.05.2011 Breach / Cut Breach Breach Cut Breach Breach Breach Breach Breach Breach Breach Cut RD. 89-90 63-64 1-2 40-41 5-6 23-24 4-5 31-32 17-18 4-5 30-31 Side Causes

R Due to weak site R Due to rate hole R Due to rate hole L L L Cut by Zimndar Due to weak site Due to rain Due to sloughing of jungle / sarkanda R Due to rain

Upper Nawankot Dy. 10.05.2011 Upper Nawankot Dy. 10.05.2011 Abehayat Disty Behari Disty 07/08.06.2011 18.08.2011 1L/Abehayat Minor 14.08.2011 1L/Abehayat Minor 31.08.2011 1R/1L/Abehayat Mr. 31.08.2011 Sherin Disty Shergarh Minor Shergarh Minor Behari Disty 19.08.2011 31.08.2011 24/24.08.2011 10.10.2011

Breach 126-127

Breach 107-108

R Due to rain L

R Due to rain R Due to rain R Due to rain Cut made by L Zimindar

1L/Abehayat Minor 25.09.2011

DALLAS CANAL DIVISION, RAHIMYARKHAN

Sr. No. 1 Date of Occurrence 01.08.2011 Breach / Cut Breach

Name of Channel

RD.

Side

Causes

Sabzal Minor

6-7

Due to heavy rain

17

CHAPTER 1

CANAL BREACHES
DIVISION-WISE ABSTRACT
Cause / Reason Theft of Weak Excessive water by Fixing Rate Cut Leakage Rain Daff Jungle Site Supply Pipe Hole Syphon etc.

Sr. No.

Name of Division

1 Fordwah 2 Sadiqia 3 Hakra Bahawal4 pur 5 Ahmadpur Rahimyar 6 Khan 7 Khanpur Total:

36 2 11 111 2 162

1 2 3

2 2

2 2

1 1

1 16 6 23

1 1

1 1

2 2

1 1

18

CHAPTER 2

CAUSES OF BREACHES
In Chapter-1 the abstract of breaches reveals that 162 No. breaches occurred due to deliberate cut made by Zimindars for unauthorized irrigation followed by 23 No. breaches occurred due to the rains in the area. However, there are two main causes of occurring breaches.

1.

NATURAL PHENOMENA
Rain, windstorm, falling dead and hollow trees in the channels.

2.

HUMAN INTERFERENCE
While doing unauthorized irrigation breaches occurs by cutting of banks, pipes, steeling of water by syphoning and trespassing of animals etc. fixing

OCCURRENCE OF BREACHES DUE TO NATURAL DISASTERS RAINS

Heavy rains are the major natural phenomena of occurring breaches in Canals. When the channels are running to their Authorized Full Supply Discharge the rains will definitely enhance the capacity of the water prism in the channels resulted in the channels overflow to the extent of occurring breaches. This problem arises when farmers close the outlets of irrigation channels in their respective fields due to slack demand of water due to rains.

WINDSTORM
Wind wave action in the windstorm, the weak banks of the channels are eroded and slight thrust of water cause damage the bank which can develop into a breach.

FALLING OF DEAD AND HOLLOW TREES

Dead and hollow trees grown along the berms and banks can also be a major cause of occurring breaches in the channel. These trees fall down in the channel due to wind action or their own load by the reasons extra heading up is created by this obstruction in 19

CHAPTER 2

CAUSES OF BREACHES
the upstream of the channel. Mostly over flowing of water from the weak banks can develop in to a beach.

OCCURRENCE OF BREACHES DUE TO HUMAN INTERFERENCE OBSTRUCTION OF FLOW BY VARIOUS MEANS

Due to high intensity of Irrigation, there is a tendency of steeling of water from canals by the farmers to meet the demands of the crops in the area. In small Distributaries and Minors, unauthorized irrigators create Daffs / obstructions by putting needles across the channels to enhance water head at their outlets so that the discharge of the outlet is increased. Some times this practice can damage the weak bank and cause uncontrollable breach particularly at upstream of the Daff.

CUTTING OF BANKS OR EVEN REMOVING OF PIPE OUTLETS

Farmers are also habitual of cutting of banks and some times they are compelled to pull out the pipe outlets from the banks in the keen demand of water for watering their crops particularly before sowing season. This

practice is also done by the un-authorized irrigators when the channels are running with the short canal supply or before closing of the channel in the Rotational Programme. Cutting of banks or removal of pipes from the banks can be preceded to an uncontrollable breach.

20

CHAPTER 2

CAUSES OF BREACHES
TAMPERING HEADS OF CHANNELS OR ESCAPES
The selfish attitude of tail irrigators encouraged them to tamper Head Regulators of channels to receive excessive supplies at the tail end but the weak banks of the channel cannot bear the capacity of surplus water. Consequently, the breaches are obvious to be occurred in the weak reaches that damage crops as well as public property in the area.

CROSSINGS THROUGH CHANNELS

In the Non-Perennial System of Irrigation the irrigators construct pipe crossings over the channel or they fix syphon under the bed of the channel to irrigate their lands by Turbines / Tubewells on the either side of the channel. A little leakage of the pipe fixed under the bed of the channel can cause a serious breach during the flow period of the channel.

ENCROACHING CANAL BANKS

Illegal encroachers on the banks of the channels tightens the cross section of the channel, upshot of the encroachment can be a major cause of a breach.

UNAUTHORIZED USE OF SERVICE ROADS

Service road along the channels is meant for inspection of the channel by the Engineers of Irrigation Department but in the present political scenario the service roads on the channels are being used in abundance by the public transport. Due to heavy axel point and uniformly distributed load, the banks of channels become weak and deteriorated. Ultimately, excess running of public vehicles can be one of the factors of causing breaches.

21

CHAPTER 2

CAUSES OF BREACHES
BREACHING BANKS DUE TO PIPING
Historically, the term piping has been used in different contexts to indicate a variety of physical processes creating an often

confusing terminology, particularly when disciplinary boundaries are crossed. For canal banks the most relevant forms of piping are internal erosion, initiated along cracks or zones of concentrated leakage and backward erosion initiated at the exit point of seepage in a homogeneous granular material. Piping can be occurred due to the roots buried under the canal banks, tress passing of the insects, rate / porcupine holes which can be developed in to an unavoidable breach.

BREACHING OF BANKS FROM INSTABILITY

The canal banks are usually not designed after detailed soil tests of the bank material. Especially, few years after of construction of banks, they loose their shape and become moist. Even banks of lined canals get moist in course of time as no rigid lining is absolutely impervious. Hence, failure of a bank or breach can occur to it automatically by damaging banks.

POOR COMPACTION OF BANKS

Compaction as per specifications of canal banks plays a vital role for durability. Poor compaction causes sliding a subsidence / banks and leakage of water from weak zones ultimately leads to breaches. Consequently, damage to the banks of channels may result in to a huge loss due to a breach.

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CHAPTER 2

CAUSES OF BREACHES
DAMAGE OF BANKS DUE TO SUDDEN DRAW-DOWN
Irrigation channels sometimes have to be closed suddenly, for instance when a breach occurs, or when the demand for irrigation water suddenly drops due to heavy rains in the command area. The berms of the channels are saturated by running channel to its authorized supply upon sudden draw down the berms fall down and cause to a breach.

VEGETATION GROWTH
Vegetation, Sarkanda and wiled shrubs growth can be a major cause in developing breaches in the canal banks. Availability of water in a good soil provide opportunity to wiled

vegetation to flourish spontaneously due to which detection of any piping action become difficult while inspecting the channels.

Therefore the removal of vegetation growth is too obvious to protect the channels from mishaps or breaches.

CONSTRUCTION OF WATER COURSES ALONG THE CHANNELS

Practically, Zimindars have become very

greedy. They almost try to construct water courses in the toe of the banks for availing the opportunity of unauthorized irrigation from channel to water course by putting syphons, pipes or cutting of banks. Consequently, weak banks pave way to a breach. According to MIP the watercourses should be constructed by the Zimindars Killa away from the toe of bank to eliminate a little chance of damage of bank or steeling of water. 23

CHAPTER 3

CLOSING OF BREACHES, METHODS AND STEPS

CLOSING OF BREACHES DISTRIBUTARIES IN MAIN CANALS AND MAJOR

When a breach is occurred in channel, its closing becomes very essential in a diminutive time span to safeguard the public property as well as valuable crops of the area. Following steps are to be taken for closing and strengthening of a breach:

1.

Arranging reduction of canal supply from Head of the channel. Closing of channel as per regulation orders, sudden draw down may create problem on the other weak areas of the channels.

2.

3.

Upon receiving the reduction at breach site the exercise to collect the spoil / earth on upstream and downstream

of the bank is started. 4. A ring bund is marked at the breach site for filling of earth when no water is passing through the breach.

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CHAPTER 3

CLOSING OF BREACHES, METHODS AND STEPS

5. Earth filling on the alignment on the ring bund be done with compaction in layers till the top level of the bank is attained.

6.

Bamboos / Killa bushing is done in the design berm width along the breach site with 50 ft. up / down stream of the breach.

7.

Additional Pushta with the bank is also provided at the breach site to cover the Hydraulic

gradient.

8.

Upon complete satisfaction that the breach site is properly closed and the brush wood is filled up, canal supply is restored in the channel as per regulation orders.

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CHAPTER 3

CLOSING OF BREACHES, METHODS AND STEPS

9. Watching of the breach, its

strengthening is carried out around the clock to avoid any complication nd be continued till the formation of erm.

CLOSING OF BREACHES IN DISTRIBUTARIES HAVING LESS THAN 100 Cs. DISCHARGE

Closing of breaches in the distributaries heaving less than 100 Cs. discharge or minors is less hectic than those of the main canals and major distributaries. Upon receiving reduction in the channel at breach site it can be closed by putting earth filled Jute / Gunny Bags or

MINORS

temporary closing of breach by placing Tarpal / frame of Parachute in equal length of breach in the channel so that the breach is closed in the running of channel. When the leakage of water in the breach site is stopped, collected earth / spoil is pushed in the breach to maintain and strengthen the breached bank upto required level.

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CHAPTER 4

REMEDIAL MEASURES TAKEN TO AVOID BREACHES

To avoid and overcome to any unpleasant situation to be faced in case of any breach / mishap, the following necessary remedial steps are essential to be taken: 1. Proper maintenance of the channels or brining them into their design section is essential. Formation of berms is required to be done to give design free board to the channel. Dowel on the main canals, branches and major distributaries should be provided. Sarkanda / weeds growth should be removed from the inner and outer section of the channel. Dead and fallen trees should be removed from the channel banks in the canal closure period. Operation of escape channels should be ensured in the rainy weather. Animal trespassing should be eliminated and only Cattle Ghats may be utilized for drinking water / bathing by the animals. Running of public transport should absolutely be prohibited to ply on the service roads of the channels. Unauthorized irrigation by cutting of banks should be dealt in accordance with the provision in the law. Water course crossing or siphoning for crossing the turbine/ Tubewell irrigation from the one side to other side should be eradicated and it should not be permitted at any cost. Water courses along the channels, particularly in the toe of the bank should be dismantled and it should be constructed Killa away from the toe of the bank to eliminate chances of theft of water from the channel. Tampering of Head Regulators of the channels or removing the pipe outlets by the Zimindars to receive excessive water should be delt in accordance with the provisions in the Law. Rate / Porcupine holes should not be left unattended. 27

2.

3.

4.

5.

6. 7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

CHAPTER 4

REMEDIAL MEASURES TAKEN TO AVOID BREACHES

14. 15. Proper watching of the channel around the clock should no way be ignored. Old stumps / roots which can cause piping action should be pulled out in the canal closure and strengthening of the same site should be done according to specification of compaction. The recharge well would be used to take the water diverted from the irrigation channels whenever there was no demand of water from farmers. The farmers would be urged to release water into the recharge well instead of closing the outlets.

16.

28

BREACHES IN IRRIGATION CHANNELS, CAUSES AND REMEDIAL MEASURES

CONCLUSION
In view of above narrated facts, discussions on the topic, it is transpired that in Irrigation Zone Bahawalpur, 162 No. of breaches occurred due to deliberate cuts made by Zimindars for unauthorized irrigation and then 23 No. breaches have been occurred because of heavy rain in the area. Therefore, it is concluded that in the present scenario maximum breaches in irrigation channels are occurred owing to human interference. The main reason behind this offence is abrupt increase in intensity of irrigation which has become almost double. Hence, the Zimindars are compelled to irrigate their lands by making cuts before closing of channel in Rotational Programme as they dont want to miss any opportunity of watering their crops by what so ever means.

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BREACHES IN IRRIGATION CHANNELS, CAUSES AND REMEDIAL MEASURES

RECOMMENDATIONS
Considering the conclusion of the case study, it is recommended that: 1. Escape Channels should be opened in heavy rains to divert enhance capacity of the channels. The recharge well would be used to take the water diverted from the irrigation channels whenever there was no demand of water from farmers. The farmers would be urged to release water into the recharge well instead of closing the outlets. The capacity of irrigation channels should be doubled to match with the intensity. All Minor Distributaries, Minors and Sub Minors are required to be lined especially in brackish zones. Enforcement of law and order should be ensured in letter and spirit to illuminate cuts and breaches in irrigation channels. 1 No. ASI and 3 No. Constables should be deployed with the SDCOs for summoning the culprits under Section 70 of Canal and Drainage Act and frequent watching of channels in the critical reaches. The offenders causing damages to the channels by making deliberate cuts should be trailed under Section 70 of Canal and Drainage Act 1873, amended 2006. FIRs should registered against the culprits under Sections 430 PPC and such type of offences should be declared as non-bailable. Tawan be imposed under Section 31, 33 with Rule 32 of Canal and Drainage Act 1873, amended 2006 upon the unauthorized irrigation. All such cases be completed within stipulated period and 20 times special charges must be levied without any discrimination / relaxation at initial stage. Close liaison among Irrigation, Police and Revenue Department is required at particular hierarchy to get the optimum results.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

30