Heavy rains batter Chandigarh, force Sukhna lake floodgates open and schools closed

Chandigarh is witnessing a fresh spell of heavy rain, disrupting normal life and forcing people to evacuate from the inundated regions. 

 

According to officials, the rise in the water levels forced the authorities to open two of the three floodgates of the Sukhna lake due to incessant rain in the catchment area. The floodgates are generally opened when the water level reaches or exceeds the danger mark of 1,163 feet.

 

Considering the erratic weather conditions, the Chandigarh administration has ordered the closure of all schools of the Union Territory on Wednesday as well. Earlier, schools here had remained closed on Tuesday.

 

District commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav has banned the entry to Sukhna Choe, Patiala Ki Rao and other water bodies in Chandigarh, which are running along the danger mark. The Ghaggar river also continues to be in spate, HT reported. 

 

Several parts of flood-hit Punjab and neighbouring Haryana were affected by the continuous rainfall in the region. In Punjab, the deluge has claimed 30 lives and affected more than 3.5 lakh people, as per a bulletin issued by the state authorities on the situation from August 1 to September 2, PTI reported. 

 

As per local media, heavy rains prompted the Chandigarh Traffic Police to issue an advisory. Movement has been severely affected on Dakshin Marg (Dhanas), Road behind ISBT-43, Dakshin Marg (Sector 23-D), Makhan Majra, Road dividing Sector 10/11 (near Sector 10) and Roads in Sectors 15-A and 15-B.

 

Officials have advised the public to stay safe and not venture out if unnecessary. 

India