‘REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY, FOR THE YEAR 1919-20’ [‎301v] (150/192)

118 BOMBAY ADMINISTRATION REPORT.
entirely exclude the Ghotki floods. This large scheme is intended to suhf'f
a certain and regular supply of water during all seasons of the year f
existing irregular and uncertain supply depending entirely on the naturaH i
of the Indus and when the irrigation on all the new canal systems has re t i
its maximum, a total area of over 5^ million acres will be watered in pla C f
the present area of about 2 million acres in the tract. The whole proiecl °
estimated to cost 16 crores of rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. . ls
E. — Bunds.
In the southern section of the Kashmor bund the flood water touched the
whole of the front bund, 1,896 loop, Tori Bund and Haibat loop upto mile 16—3
while in the second and third sections the flood water did not touch the bund
at all. There were no breaches during the season.
The bunds in the Shikarpur Canals district stood well throughout the
inundation season. In the Ghar Canals district, the river being far away
the bunds were not severely taxed, but owing to the high river a few leaks
occurred which were promptly closed.
The western Nara bunds were raised and strengthened in certain lengths
during the year. Water touched the bunds in nearly the whole length and
there was a big head of water at many points, but owing to the great care
taken, the bunds remained intact and there were no breaches. Many leaks
occurred, however, but they were immediately closed.
The new Belo loop, which was completed on 31st May 1919, breached on
27th July 1919. In the portion of the bund that had not been soaked before
the rapid rise of the river an underground leak developed, the bund collapsed
suddenly over the leak and a serious breach occurred. Owing to very heavy
rains, cold violent winds and scarcity of labour it was impossible to prevent
the breach from widening and all available labour had to be used in saving
the remaining 7-J miles of the bund from wave erosion.
There was one breach in the Naulakhi Bhorti Bund in the Nasrat Canals
district but it was promptly closed. The Mikaro and Tirchi Bunds were also
touched by water but both stood well.
The Ren bund in the Hyderabad Canals district also stood well.
The Hajipur Bund in the Fuleli Canals district suffered from wave wash
in the third, thirteenth and fourteenth miles and repairs were carried out where
the slope was cut away by wave action. The Gidu Bund in this district was
in danger of being eroded by the current of the river, which was, however,
deflected by the construction of a stone groyne.
3.—Deccan and Gujarat.
A.—Northern Division.
There is only one canal system of importance in this Division, viz., the
Hathmati and Khari Cut canals; otherwise the main sources of irrigation are
small tanks or reservoirs dependent on local rains.
The rainfall was generally satisfactory and well distributed. At Ahmed-
abad and Prantij it amounted to 29‘96 inches and 30’35 inches, respective y,
which was equal to the average. The monsoon broke, as usual, in the nai e
of June and lasted up to the middle of September. Due to favourable rama !
there was a limited demand for Kharif irrigation on the Hathmati cana an
the Rabi amounted to about 2,800 acres only. In the area served by
Khari Cut canal, however, the rainfall, though about the average, was
well distributed and it failed in the latter part of the season. A large a^
was planted with rice and it was therefore not possible to give the last ess ® n | or
watering to the whole of that area. As, however, there was no deman
water on the Hathmati, the water therefrom, as well as from the Bokh mse ’
was utilized to save the rice under the Khari Cut canal. The to a
us ara iui meu yuppiiub ctnu uiit; uuli»ijiuuuiuii ui a new canal to be r 11 t
K hipra canal. Provision has also been made in the project for the const
of a flood protective bank, 105 miles long, from Makhi to Navkot .
"n up