Furious rivers enter homes in catchment areas

ALLAHABAD: Continuing with the rising trend for the fourth consecutive day, Ganga and Yamuna water entered into unauthorized colonies in the catchment area on Friday. While residents have started moving out to safer places, administration has decided to press boats into service only if the situation deteriorates.
The river water has started entering the low lying localities of Daraganj, Chhota Baghara, Shivkuti, Chandpur Saloni, Rasoolabad, Bakshi Bandh and Naini after submerging the catchment areas of Phaphamau and Naini.
Sluice gate and Mori gate have been closed to prevent water from entering the city. District magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma and SSP KS Emanuel took stock of the situation and asked revenue department employees to provide interim relief in case the river continued to rise further.
At morning, Ganga was rising at a speed of 26cm per hour at Phaphamau, while Yamuna was rising at the rate of 31cm per hour at Naini. At Chatnag, Ganga was rising by 31cm per hour.
Flood division’s executive engineer Manoj Kumar Singh said, “At 8 am,Ganga was flowing at 81.58 metres at Phaphamau and 80.82 metres at Chatnag. Yamuna was flowing at 81.72 metres. The level of flooded Chambal, Ken and Betwa has remained constant. The water level will come down in case of no rain.”
District Magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma said, “Alert has been sounded in the city. However, both rivers do not pose any danger as such. The flood water has entered catchment areas that has unauthorised colonies. Boats will be pressed only if situation deteriorates.”
He said NDRF stationed in Varanasi will be called in case of emergency. He added that boats would used when required.