The water levels of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers are rising rapidly in Prayagraj. By Saturday afternoon, both rivers had crossed the warning level and are now moving towards the danger mark. On Saturday, the water level of the Ganga rose by 29 cm, while the Yamuna rose by 24 cm. Due to the flooding of both rivers, water has entered residential areas. Over 200 houses in the city have been inundated. The situation is most critical in the Baghara and Ganganagar areas, according to a report by Dainik Jagran.
Fifty flood-affected people have taken shelter in relief camps, while nearly 1,000 people have evacuated their homes and taken refuge at the houses of relatives and acquaintances. With inflows from the Ken, Betwa and Chambal rivers, the Yamuna’s water level is expected to rise further. If the water levels continue to increase, both rivers may cross the danger mark by Sunday, potentially affecting more than a dozen riverbank neighbourhoods and 57 villages.
Water levels rose significantly during Friday night. The Ganga rose by 74 cm overnight, reaching 82.61 meters by Saturday morning. Meanwhile, the Yamuna rose by 118 cm, reaching 82.63 meters at 8 a.m. By noon, the Ganga’s water level was 82.73 meters, and Yamuna’s was 82.70 meters. By 4 pm, the Ganga reached 82.84 meters, and Yamuna 82.79 meters, the report mentioned.
By 8 pm, the Ganga had risen to 82.90 meters, and the Yamuna to 82.87 meters. The warning level for both rivers is 82.73 meters, which they crossed by midday. The danger mark is 83.74 meters, which both rivers are now approaching.
Floodwaters cause damage in low-lying areas
Due to the flood situation, water has entered areas like Nevada, Draupadi Ghat, Ganganagar in Rajapur, Sundaram Colony, Beli Kachar, Beli Village, Baghara, Dharharia, Sadiyabad, and Chilla. Homes in these areas have suffered considerable damage due to waterlogging.
Many people have moved to the first and second floors of their homes, while others have sought shelter in relief camps. The district administration has arranged boats and motorboats in the affected colonies.
Rescue teams deployed
NDRF, SDRF, and PAC flood relief teams have been deployed for rescue operations. Authorities have urged people in flood-hit areas to move to safer locations.
Similarly, due to rainfall in Uttarakhand and western Uttar Pradesh, the Ganga’s water level is rising swiftly. Around 1.5 lakh cusecs of water is being released into the Ganga from Haridwar and Kanpur barrages and Narora Dam, which is affecting Prayagraj.
The NDRF team visited flood-affected areas on Saturday and issued warnings to residents, advising them to move to safer places. Under the leadership of Inspector Anil Kumar, the team inspected areas from Bakshi Dam to Nagvasuki, Chhota Baghara, Bada Baghara, and Dashashwamedh Ghat.