Anantnag, April 11 -- The Irrigation Department on Saturday launched a massive demolition-cum-anti-encroachment drive along a 10-km stretch of the historic Wohun canal from Ganeshpora to Seer Hamdan in south Kashmir district, officials said.

The drive, aimed at restoring the canal's flow and utility, was carried out with the active support of the Revenue, Police, Jal Shakti and Electricity departments, they said.

Officials said unauthorised constructions and encroachments over the years had severely affected the water flow, impacting irrigation of thousands of kanals of agricultural land and the livelihoods of local farmers.

The operation will continue in phases to completely clear the canal of all obstructions and restore its original...