Chandigarh: The water level of Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh is constantly rising towards danger. This year, for the first time in a single monsoon season, the flood gates of the lake had to be opened 10 times. The main reason for this is the continuous decline in the water-holding capacity of the lake.
The silt and sand deposited in the lake every year were not removed, due to which its depth has decreased from 16 feet to just 10 to 11 feet. That is, about 5 feet of the area is filled with silt. In view of the continuously deteriorating situation, the administration has now decided to take the help of the Institute of Hydrology (IOH).
Scientists will give suggestions for the overall development and management of the lake. For this, the administration has officially entrusted the responsibility of preparing a plan to IOH.
The cleaning campaign has been stalled for 18 years.
Till 2008, campaigns were run at the government and social levels for cleaning the Sukhna. Even kar seva was done. But for the last 18 years, neither the silt was removed nor any concrete steps were taken.
Every year the check dams in the catchment area were cleaned, but this time the silt and sand of the previous year was not removed from any check dam. The result was that the sand reached Sukhna directly due to the pre-monsoon rains.
Water level reaching danger mark
This monsoon, there was more than 1000 mm rainfall, due to which the flood gates had to be opened 10 times in August and September alone. Whereas in 2008, 2018 and 2023, despite more rainfall, the gates were opened only 2 to 4 times. Now every third day the water level is reaching the danger mark.