Patiala, Sept. 9 -- The Punjab government on Monday blamed Haryana's Hansi-Butana canal for flooding in border villages of Patiala district. It said the natural water flow of the Ghaggar river and its tributaries was being hindered due to the canal.

After an inspection of the siphons of Hansi-Butana canal, executive engineer (XEN), drainage, Pratham Gambhir and sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Harjot Kaur confirmed that Sassi Brahman, Sassi Gujjran, Dharmehri, Hashampur, Bhawganpur and Sassi Teh villages were among the worst flood-hit areas in the district due to the obstruction of Ghaggar water caused by the Hansi-Butana canal.

"The obstruction created by the canal has aggravated the flood situation in these villages. We are closely mon...