Rising Ganga, Yamuna head to low-lying areas

ALLAHABAD: Ganga and Yamuna’s water level rose suddenly on Wednesday and entered low-lying areas of Phaphamau, Naini and Daraganj threatening houses in catchment areas. The sudden increase in level was attributed to flooding of both rivers’ tributaries, including Ken, Betwa and Chambal, and continuous release of water from Haridwar and Narora Barrage.
Both the rivers were rising at a rate of 8cms per hour till reports last came in.District and irrigation department officials too rushed to the banks to gauge the situation. The authorities had closed the sluice gate late on Tuesday night while Mori Gate at Daraganj was closed on Wednesday to stop water from entering in the area. Pumps were pressed into service to flow the water back into the rivers. Ganga is expected to touch the Bade Hanuman temple by Thursday.
“The flood in Madhya Pradesh has led to flooding of Ken, Betwa and Chambal which in turn has led to increase in the water level of Yamuna and Ganga. Incessant rain is the main factor behind it,” said Irrigation department’s flood division executive engineer Manoj Kumar Singh. He said that water level of Ganga passing through Phaphamau in city had increased by 1.35 metres in a day to touch 80.36 metres on Wednesday morning.
In Chatnag, the water level was recorded at 79.44 metres showing an increase of around 1.91 metres in the same duration. The danger level of the Ganga, in the city, is 84.73 metres.
Yamuna passing through the Naini has increased by 1.89 metres to 80.14 metres. The danger level of the river in the city is at 84.73 metres.
Meanwhile, Central Water Commission has said that both rivers would continue to rise further.
The water is constantly inching towards the population in low lying localities of Daraganj, Chhota Baghara, Shivkuti, Chandpur Saloni, Rasoolabad, Bakshi Bandh and Naini after covering the Kachar area. It has already entered the low-lying areas of Phaphamau and Naini.