Ganga, Yamuna continued to rise, the residents moved to safer Zone

Allahabad, August 1, 2013: Ganga and Yamuna continued to rise at an alarming rate in the city at different places on Wednesday forcing residents of outlying areas to shift to safer places. Flood water started inundating the area even as officials of Flood Control division issued a warning that both rivers may cross danger level in the next 24 hours.

At Phaphamau, the level of Ganga was recorded at 83.420 metres which means the river had registered a rise of 120 cms over the last 24 hours. It was recorded at 83.300 metres on Tuesday, informed the executive Engineer Flood Control J P Verma.

On the other hand, the level of Ganga touched 82.620 metres at Chatnag and registered a rising trend over the last 24 hours. At both places the river is flowing well below the danger mark of 84.730 metres.

On the other hand, the level of Yamuna was recorded at 83.180 metres at Naini which means the river has registered a rise of 120 cms in the last 24 hours as the level was 83.60 metres on Tuesday. Yamuna is also flowing well below the danger mark of 84.730 metres.

Officials are worried over the rising trend of both the rivers given the rise recorded over the last few days.

Elsewhere river water started inundating the ghats in the Sangam area where the priests and other inhabitants started shifting to safer places as the river water started washing away makeshift huts and tents constructed by the purohits and pandas, said a local priest, Basant Kumar Pandey.

Waters of Ganga entered houses in village Badra Sonauti in Jhunsi area from where residents shifted to safer places.

Boats have also been parked on river banks with devotees desisting from venturing into the river which is rising rapidly, said a local boatmen who added that number of pilgrims who wish to take a ride down the river on boat is minimal at this point of time given the hazards involved.

Local authorities have also issued instructions to those living on the river banks to shift to safer spots in order to avoid any untoward incident, said an official source.

Similar is the situation in areas adjoining the Yamuna where flood water reached the steps of Baradari near the Boat Club. Here, district authorities have stationed rescue teams to take care of any eventuality.