Sukhna floodgate opened for 2 hrs

Chandigarh, August 14

The UT Engineering Department today opened one of the three floodgates of Sukhna Lake after the water level reached near the danger mark of 1,163 feet.

As a precautionary measure, the floodgate was opened around 1 pm when the water level reached the 1,162.7 feet, just five inches below the danger mark, said an official of the department. He, however, said the gate was closed around 3 pm.

It was a second time within a week when the authorities have to open the floodgate. On Monday, the floodgate was opened for 1.15 hours when the water level reached 1162.5 feet, just 7 inches below the danger mark of 1,163 feet. yesterday, the water level in the lake was 1,162.20 feet, but it reached 1,162.7 feet after rain in the area and catchment area of the lake, forcing the department to open the floodgate.

An alert was sounded in the neighbouring areas and to avoid flooding downstream, the water was released in a small quantity, he said, adding that the Mohali Administration was also informed in advance about the opening of the floodgate. Officials of the department were present at the lake to monitor the situation.

The water level in the lake on August 8 had reached 1,162.3 feet, 9 inches below the danger mark, due to the rain in the city and the catchment area of the lake. On August 2, the water level reached 1,161.4 feet, which was 1.8 feet below the danger mark. With the late arrival of the monsoon, the water level in the lake was recorded at 1,159. 9 feet on July 28.

Two of the three floodgates had to be opened in August last year after the water level of the lake crossed the danger mark and reached 1,163.4 feet and the gush of the water led to flooding in the Baltana area of Mohali district. After the opening of the floodgates, the Sukhna Choe carried the excess water of the lake to the Ghaggar. — TNS