Gate was opened as a precautionary measure only for an hour: Chief Engineer
A.S.Prashar
Chandigarh, August 9
One of the three floodgates of Sukhna Lake was opened at 11.30 am on Monday after its water level reached 1162.5 feet, just 7 inches below the danger mark of 1,163 feet.
UT Chief Engineer CB Ojha said the gate was opened as a precautionary measure only for an hour.
The water level in Sukhna Lake on Sunday evening had reached 1,162. 3 feet, 9 inches below the danger mark, due to the rain in the catchment area of the lake. On August 2, the water level of the lake had reached 1,161.4 feet, 1.8 feet below the danger mark. On July 28, the water level in the lake was recorded at 1,159. 9 feet.
The two floodgates had to be opened in August last year after the water level of the lake reached the danger mark. Before this, on September 24, 2018, incessant rain in the catchment area had forced officials to open two flood gates of the lake. At that time, the gates were opened after a gap of 10 years.
After floodgates are opened, the Sukhna Choe carries the excess water from the lake to the Gaggar river.
The gate was shut at 12.45 pm and now, the water level has come down to 1161.8 feet.