Chautara Mar. 16 : The Mahadevkhola irrigation canal in Bhotenamlang vdc of  sindhupalchowk district has not been functioning since the past two years due to a landslide which took place within one month of its completion.

The 4 km canal was completed in fiscal year 2053/54 with loan asistance

from the Asain Development Bank under the sector irrigation programme.

The canal completed at a cost of Rs. 3,102,800 irrigated some 85 hectares.

Incessant rain and landslide had swept away about 76 per cent of the canal and this had left some 300 rapani of land dry.

With irrigation from the canal, Bhotenamlang vdc which is well known for paddy production in the district saw a good quantity of hybrid paddy yield even on high terrain.

Around Rs. 1,040,000 has been laid out by the district irrigation office for maintenance of the canal.

Agricultural output has been dropping due to the lackadaisical response from the irrigation office despite repeated correspondence by the water users’ committee and the vdc, chairman Lama said.