Sukhna floodgate opened as water level hits danger mark

One of the three floodgates of Sukhna Lake was opened around 11 am on Wednesday as its water level reached the danger mark of 1,163 ft following rainfall in the catchment area.

It has been two years since the lake flood gates were opened to release the excess water into Sukhna Choe.

According to officials, the gate was opened at up to the height of six inches and would be closed when the water level would drop to 1,162 ft.

The UT Engineering Department has deployed officials at Regulator End of the lake on a 24x7 basis. CCTV cameras have also been installed to regularly monitor the water level.

A control room has been set up for proper coordination and communication between the district administrations of Mohali and Panchkula and the UT Administration during the opening of floodgates.

The officials said the district administrations of the neighbouring districts were alerted before opening of the floodgate.

Floodgates were opened four times in 2023, six times in 2022 and five times in 2021. The opening of two floodgates in August 2020 had caused a widespread flooding in the low-lying areas of Zirakpur situated along Sukhna Choe. On September 24, 2018, the floodgates were opened after a gap of 10 years.