Ganga recedes in Varanasi, brings relief

VARANASI: The flood situation has started to ease with river Ganga showing a receding trend in the region in middle division since last four days, however the river continue to flow above the danger mark in different places including Varanasi district on Sunday.
According to the daily flood bulletin released by the Central Water Commission, Middle Ganga Division-III, the river showed a receding trend in all districts in middle division and was flowing at 83.78 mts in Phaphamau, 82.78 mts in Allahabad, 78.57 mts in Satamarhi, 76.7 mts in Mirzapur, 71.35 mts in Varanasi, 64.53 mts in Ghazipur and 60.07 mts in Ballia.
Although the margin of increase between the present water level and danger level is not that high, yet the administration and NDRF teams remained on alert. The river was flowing at 0.088 mts above danger levels in Varanasi, 1.425 mts above at Ghazipur and 2.455 mts above danger mark at Ballia.
Meanwhile, the decrease in water levels brought respite to locals living in areas along the Ganga who had to leave their homes and move to safer places. As the water started receding in the Ganga, decrease in water level of its tributary Varuna was also witnessed since Friday. Residents of Nakkhighat, Teliana, Saraiyya along Varuna rivers, the worst sufferers, heaved a sigh of relief.
The receding water level has left slush and heaps of construction debris and garbage lying unattended at almost all places.