Flood alerts issued in Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula; Ghaggar river swells, Sukhna lake's gates opened

Authorities in Mohali, Panchkula, and Chandigarh have issued flood alerts following a sharp rise in the water level of the Ghaggar river and the opening of Sukhna Lake floodgates after heavy rainfall across the region.

Ghaggar river originates in Himachal Pradesh and runs a course of 165 km through Punjab, entering the state at Mohali’s Mubarikpur village, where it caused some losses on Friday.

In Dera Bassi (Mohali district), nine villages along the Ghaggar — including Tiwana, Khajoor Mandi, Sadhanpur, Sarsini, Alamgir, Dangdhera, Mubarikpur, Mirpur, and Bakarpur — have been placed on high alert. At 8 a.m., the water discharge in the Ghaggar crossed 70,000 cusecs, prompting swift action by local authorities.

Dera Bassi SDM Amit Kumar confirmed that police, drainage, and revenue department teams are deployed across affected areas, adding that “everything is under control” for now. Mohali DC Komal Mittal also visited Tiwana village to assess the situation on the ground.

The Dehar-Alamgir-Tiwana link embankment remains a critical point of concern — a 4,500-ft breach here in 2023 had led to severe damage to agricultural land and extensive soil erosion. Many of these villages had suffered flood damage last year, with up to two feet of silt and sand deposited over farmland.

In Zirakpur, water from the Sukhna choe overflowed the Baltana bridge, while the Mubarikpur causeway saw similar flooding.

Meanwhile, in Chandigarh, two of the three Sukhna Lake floodgates were opened early today — one at 3:30 am and the second at 4 am, as the lake water level breached the danger mark of 1,163 feet. This is the sixth time this monsoon season that floodgates have been opened.

The UT Engineering Department has stationed staff at the lake 24/7, with CCTV surveillance and a dedicated control room coordinating with Mohali and Panchkula officials.

Road collapses near bridge in Khatouli village, Panchkula due to heavy rainfall

Heavy overnight rainfall once again disrupted life across parts of Panchkula district. In Khatouli village, located near Barwala, the road adjoining a local bridge collapsed after intense water flow eroded the soil underneath.

According to reports, rainwater was flowing rapidly beneath and around the bridge, leading to significant soil erosion and ultimately causing the road to cave in. As a result, villagers are now facing major difficulties in commuting, with access in and out of the area severely affected. Authorities are assessing the damage, and locals have been advised to avoid using the affected route until further notice.

Residents in low-lying and riverbank areas are advised to remain alert and follow updates from the district administrations.