Allahabad: Ganga, Yamuna continue to swell; alert sounded

ALLAHABAD: The Ganga and Yamuna rivers recorded a constant increase in their water levels, still a few metres away from the danger mark, as their tributaries flowing through other states swelled on Tuesday.


Following the rise in the water level of the two rivers, officials of irrigation and flood control department maintained a strict watch at Phaphamau, Chatnag and Naini, and asked officials on duty at flood outposts to be more cautious especially in low-lying areas.

Heavy downpour on Tuesday also brought a major relief from sultry weather conditions for people in Allahabad.

Allahabad recorded 25.6mm of rainfall on Tuesday. The maximum temperature was recorded at 31.9 degrees Celsius and the minimum at 24.9 degrees Celsius.

The city also recorded a maximum 100 and minimum 79 percent relative humidity.

"The city witnessed a heavy downpour in the early morning hours and majority of the city streets were waterlogged," said Civil Lines resident Vinay adding "Due to heavy downpour, most of the schools were closed," he added.

Manish, an office-goer at Rajapur said, "Due to heavy downpour, most of the streets were waterlogged and we had to drive our vehicle very carefully.” The rains started at 5.30am and continued for more than one and half hour.

As per the data released by the district irrigation department’s flood division, Ganga rose by 10cm and 43cm at Phaphamau and Chatnag respectively on Tuesday.

The Yamuna’s level increased by 40cm at Naini on Tuesday after the downpour.

"The Ganga’s water level has been rising since past three days. Officials of flood control department are maintaining a close watch on the water level and initiating measures accordingly,” said an official from flood control department.

At Naini, Yamuna water level was recorded as 76.900 metre.

From 8am on Tuesday, water level in river Ganga rose to 78.300 metre at Phaphamau. At Chatnag, the river swelled to 76.270 metre during the same period.

The danger mark for both Ganga and Yamuna is 84.73 metre.

Officials, however, admitted that water of both Ganga and Yamuna would be entering into low-lying areas if the water level continues to rise. Areas like Chhota Baghara, Shivkuti, Chandpur Saloni, Rasoolabad, Bakshi Bandh, Kareli and Naini are likely to be affected in days to come.

On Tuesday, a large number of devotees and locals arrived at Sangam to witness the water level of Ganga. Devotees were spotted taking holy dip and performing rituals on the river banks.