Sukhna floodgate opened third time this monsoon

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 5

Due to heavy rain in the catchment area, the UT Administration opened one of the three floodgates of Sukhna Lake after the water level inched close to the danger mark of 1,163 feet.

An official said the floodgate was opened around 9 pm when the water level reached 1,162.70 feet.

The official of the Engineering Department said the floodgate was opened before the water touched the danger mark to avoid a flood-like situation in the low-lying areas of Baltana and Zirakpur in Mohali.

He said a limited volume of water was being released and it would take time for the level to recede due to a continuous flow of water in the catchment area.

This is third time this monsoon season when a floodgate of the lake has been opened. Earlier, the floodgates were opened on July 31 and on the intervening night of July 17 and 18.

Last year, floodgates had to be opened five times i.e. on August 9 and 14, and September 21, 23 and 30.

Two floodgates had to be opened in August 2020 after the water level crossed the danger mark. It had caused widespread flooding in the low-lying areas along the Sukhna Choe.

On September 24, 2018, incessant rain in the catchment area had forced the officials to open the floodgates after a gap of 10 years. The choe carries the excess water of the lake to the Ghaggar.

Limited volume of water being released

The official of the Engineering Department said a limited volume of water was being released and it would take time for the level to recede due to a continuous flow of water in the catchment area.

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