Demerits of Canal Irrigation

♤ The canal water soaks into the ground and leads to the problem of waterlogging along the canal route.

♤ Excessive flow of water in the fields raises the ground water level. Capillary action brings alkaline salts to the surface and makes large areas unfit for agriculture. Vast areas in Panjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra suffer from the problem of ‘reh’ caused by canal irrigation.

♤ The marshy areas near the canals act as breeding grounds of mosquitoes which result in widespread malaria.

♤ Many canals overflow during rainy season and flood the surrounding areas.

♤ Canal irrigation is suitable in plain areas only.