Chapter XV: Appendix: D

WATCHING AND PROTECTING BANKS AND EMBANKMENTS.[61]

(See page 138.)

[61] This is reprinted from _Punjab Rivers and Works_. It was drawn up
for inundation canals and flood embankments.

1. =Watching.=--Every watchman employed to have a fixed headquarters and a fixed beat. If there is no permanent hut on or near the bank, grass huts should be erected by the men at the places fixed. The presence or absence of the men to be frequently tested by the mate and suboverseer. The suboverseers tests to be recorded in a book and to form the subject of frequent inquiry by the Subdivisional Officer, who will also record his remarks and take proper action in case the suboverseer is in fault.

2. =Gauge Readers, Regulating Establishment, Bungalow Watchmen, etc.=--To be made to assist whenever possible. The allotment of a beat to each such man has been separately ordered.

3. =Employment of Men on Repairs.=--The men, when not otherwise occupied, to do petty repairs, etc., within their beats, but not to be put on miscellaneous duties and sent about as messengers, nor to act as orderlies or khalassies.

4. =Strength of Establishment.=--Should generally be greater for one and a half months in July and August than at other times. Care to be taken as to this and as to dismissing men when no longer needed.

5. =Stakes and Mallets.=--To be collected beforehand, if necessary, at suitable places, to be accounted for at end of flow season and balance taken care of.

6. =Breaches.=--The Establishment to be trained by the Subdivisional Officer to report every breach to all officials with the greatest possible speed. The mate, daroga, and suboverseer to remain there till the breach is closed and to promptly send a report on the prescribed form to the Subdivisional Officer.

7. =Serious Breaches.=--In case of serious breaches of main channels the Subdivisional Officer to himself reach the spot as soon as possible.

8. =Breach Reports.=--See printed form M[62] attached. To be promptly submitted for each breach to the Executive Engineer. The report contains a column for cost of closure. This means the stoppage of the flow and not the complete making up of the banks. The column for remarks of the Executive Engineer should be filled in and the report promptly returned to the Subdivisional Officer, who will, in the meantime, be making up the banks and preparing a requisition or estimate.

[62] Not printed.

9. =Progress Report.=--With the Executive Engineer’s monthly progress report a list of breaches will be submitted, canal by canal, with columns showing date of occurrence and cost of closure. The return should be on the attached form G.[63] The Subdivisional Officer should also submit this form to the Executive Engineer.

[63] Not printed. The form differs slightly from a form prescribed by
the Chief Engineer for general use in the Province.

10. =Estimates.=--The cost of breaches is not to be charged to maintenance estimates. At the close of each month the Executive Engineer should submit or sanction an estimate, accompanied by the breach reports, for closing any breaches which have occurred and making up the banks.

11. =Breaches in the Flooded Area near Canal Heads.=--These may be of special importance. It may be impossible to do any good and money may be uselessly spent. In any such cases the Subdivisional Officer should at once proceed to the spot and the case should be reported by wire to the Executive Engineer and, if necessary, to the Superintending Engineer.

12. =Breaches in Flood Embankments.=--The Subdivisional Officer must at once proceed to the spot and the case be reported by wire to the Executive Engineer and Superintending Engineer. The Breach Report forms can be submitted partially filled in at the earliest possible moment and a complete form afterwards.