Water supply to Manimajra restored; Sukhna floodgate opened yet again

On Thursday evening, the trial was carried out after repair and supply was initially started for two hours on Friday.

The authorities stated that a proper trial was carried out following which the water supply was restored. From Saturday morning, there would be water supply at full pressure.

Chandigarh Municipal Corporation Commissioner Anindita Mitra said, “On July 10, the deluge had washed away the 24-inch drinking water supply pipeline which caused complete disruption of services in the entire area of Manimajra. The public health wing of MC had worked tirelessly and supplied water through tankers to Manimajra residents from 6 am to 8 pm.”

She added, “Last night (Thursday), within a record three days, the entire pipeline was constructed and laid. Thereafter the testing was successfully done. The MC was able to resume services in the evening (Friday) for two hours at low pressure. From tomorrow (Saturday), Manimajra will receive drinking water supply as usual, at full pressure.”

The rest of the city, meanwhile, is already hit by the damage to the Bhakra pipelines that carry water to the entire city.

Two main Bhakra pipelines – Phase 3 and Phase 1 – were completely damaged in the heavy rain on Sunday. Officials stated that it will take another 15 days for Phase 3 pipeline to be functional. The trial on the water pressure that Phase 1 can handle will be done by the weekend when the work will be completed, they said. The damage due to the rain has also reduced the capacity of Phase 5 and Phase 6 pipelines, officials said.

There are six phases at Kajauli waterworks that provide water to Chandigarh. Of these six, phases 2, 4, 5 and 6 are functional and are providing supply to the entire city. The water supply hours also have been curtailed by authorities.

“The total requirement of water in the city is 80 MGD and we have 60 MGD available. So, there is a shortfall of 20 MGD. At the same time, we also have to supply 12 MGD – 6 MGD each to Chandimandir and Panchkula. So, there is a 12 MGD deficit as well. This shortfall will be shared proportionately by Chandimandir, Chandigarh and Panchkula,” Union Territory Adviser Dharam Pal had said.

Sukhna floodgate opened again

After two days, a Sukhna floodgate was opened yet again on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday as the water level reached the danger mark. Officials of the engineering wing said that as it rained upstream, the floodgate had to be opened.

Speaking to The Indian Express, C B Ojha, chief engineer, Chandigarh administration, said, “One floodgate was opened with a low height, that is, 4 inches. It was opened from 1.40 am to 9.10 am.”

The level of the lake crossed over 1,163 feet.

The Chandigarh traffic police has also advised the residents to avoid the route near the lake.

“One gate of Sukhna Lake was opened for water release in Sukhna Choe as the water level had reached the danger level. The traffic movement is closed from the bridges on Sukhna Choe at village Kishangarh, Shastrinagar, and CTU workshop,” it was specified.