Two Sukhna floodgates opened

Following torrential rain in the city and Sukhna Lake catchment, two of its three floodgates were opened today after the water level crossed the danger mark of 1,163 feet.

According to officials, one floodgate was opened around 3.30 pm and the other around 4.45 pm upto the height of three-six inches, respectively. One of the gate was closed around 8 pm when the water level dipped to 1,162.85 feet. Two floodgates were opened together for the first time this monsoon season. Earlier, one floodgate was opened on August 6, 8, 15 and 17 to release the excess water into the Ghaggar river through the Sukhna Choe.

With the opening of the two floodgates, the Sukhna Choe water overflowed the Bapu Dham Colony and Shashtri Nagar bridge.

The UT Engineering Department has decided to soon replace the existing low-level causeway over Sukhna Choe near Bapu Dham Colony with a four-lane bridge. In July 2023, excess water released from the lake had damaged the bridge, which serves as an alternative route from Manimajra and Panchkula. The bridge had remained closed for five days.

The UT Engineering Department has deployed officials at the regulator end of the lake on a 24x7 basis. CCTV cameras have been installed to regularly monitor the water level of the lake. A control room has also been established to coordinate with the district administration of Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula for a proper communication during the opening of floodgates.

The officials said that 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 severe 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.