Sukhna Lake floodgate shut as water recedes

The UT Engineering Department closed the floodgate of the Sukhna Lake around 3.30 am today after the water level dropped to 1,162.10 feet.

Following the heavy rain in the city and its catchment area yesterday, one of the three floodgates of the lake was opened around 7.30 pm to release excess water into the Sukhna Choe.

Earlier, one floodgate of the lake was opened around 11 am on Wednesday when the water level touched the danger mark of 1,163 feet. Later, the gate was closed after 12 hours, around 11 pm the same day. The gate was opened after two years to release the excess water.

According to officials, the gate was opened up to the height of six inches and was closed when the water level dropped to 1,162.20 feet.

The UT Engineering Department has deployed officials at the regulator end of the lake on a 24x7 basis. CCTV cameras have also been installed to regularly monitor the water level in the lake. A control room has been established to coordinate with the administrations of Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula for a proper communication 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 caused a widespread flooding in the low-lying areas of Zirakpur situated alongside the Sukhna Choe. On September 24, 2018, the floodgates were opened after a gap of 10 years.