Heavy rains in the wee hours of Sunday wreaked havoc as over 100 houses in Khuda Lahora were flooded after gates of Sukhna Lake had to be opened as its water level crossed the danger mark of 1,163 feet.
The gushing water made a breach in the Sukhna Choe and flooded nearby areas in Mohali’s Zirakpur. A flood-like situation was experienced for the first time in Baltana in Zirakpur, submerging the police post, marriage palaces, municipal park and cremation ground.
Meanwhile, water discharged from check dams over the seasonal rivulet Patiala Ki Rao flooded low-lying areas in Khuda Lahora Colony near the PGIMER around 3am on Sunday.
As the lake’s flood gates were opened, the bridge towards Bapu Dham was closed for a short time to the public to avert any damage to life or property. The officials also alerted the Punjab and Haryana governments.
Upset residents said that there was no warning from the authorities about the water being released. The residents alleged that the drains of Patiala ki Rao (a seasonal rivulet) were clogged, which led to the flooding. They also alleged that they have been requesting the civic body to clear the blocked drains but to no avail.
They said that even after intimating authorities about the flooding, it took the civic officials about one hour to reach the area and clear the drains.
The gates were last opened on September 24, 2018, and before that in 2008, both times when the water had crossed the danger mark.
