The Ghaggar is the most important water channel of Patiala district, and three canals bring the district its irrigation water

Background

Patiala district in Punjab forms a part of the Indo-Gangetic plain and is described as three types of region: the Upland Plain, the Cho-infested Foothill Plain and the Floodplain of the Ghaggar River. The river Ghaghar is the most important water channel of the district and is essentially a seasonal stream, remaining dry during most part of the year. During the rains it remains in spate, often flooding the adjoining villages and damaging crops and livestock. The subsidiary rivulets that join the Ghaggar River include the Tangri Nadi, Patiala-Wali-Nadi, Sirhind Choe and the Jhambowali Choe. Apart from the natural drainage line the district has three important canals: the Bhakra Main Line canal, the Nawana Branch and the Ghaghar Link. Before these canals were constructed Patiala district was a water scarce area, and the canals helped to transform the parched fields into fertile, double-crop lands. The district lies between 29°49’ and 30°47’ north latitude and 75°58’ and 76°54’ east longitude, and is sub-divided into 6 sub-divisons/tehsils, 2 sub-tehsils and 9 blocks.