Chandigarh/Mohali, Aug. 7 -- For the first time this season, the UT engineering department opened one of the three floodgates of Sukhna Lake as the water-level touched the danger-mark of 1,163-ft, owing to the downpour on Tuesday night.

The floodgate was raised by three inches at 11 am on Wednesday, with an official stating that it will remain open overnight. "Further action will be taken on Thursday morning after taking into account the prevailing situation," the official added.

The floodgates had last been opened in 2023 - on August 11, when the water-level reached 1,162.90 feet and July when two floodgates had to be opened on multiple occasions after incessant rainfall pushed the level to 1,164 feet.

The city recorded 15.8 mm rain f...