Sukhna Lake water level nears danger mark

Chandigarh, August 21

The water level of Sukhna Lake today reached near the danger mark. After rain in the region, the level of lake waters increased to 1,162.65 ft, just 3.5 inches below the danger mark of 1,163 ft.

CB Ojha, Chief Engineer, UT, said CCTV cameras had been installed at the lake to monitor the situation 24x7. He said they would wait for some time before taking any decision on opening the floodgates of the lake.

One of the three floodgates of the lake was opened last time on August 14 when the water level had reached 1,162.7 ft. However, the gate was closed after two hours. Before this, the floodgate was opened for an hour on August 9 when the water level had reached 1,162.5 ft.

Earlier, the gates were opened as a precautionary measure and water was released in small volume to avoid flooding downstream, Ojha said. Two of the three floodgates had to be opened in August last year after the water level had crossed the danger mark. The gush of the water led to flooding in the Baltana area of Mohali. — TNS