Prayagraj: The water levels of the Ganga and Yamuna continued to rise in Prayagraj on Saturday, keeping the district administration and residents of low-lying riverbank areas on alert. Although the increase remains well below the danger mark, the rise in the past 24 hours has raised concerns among people living in flood-prone localities, particularly those who witnessed severe flooding last year.According to the Central Water Commission’s 8 am bulletin on Saturday, the Yamuna at Naini recorded a water level of 73.93 metres, registering an increase of 12 cm over the previous 24 hours. The Ganga also witnessed a steady rise, with the water level at Phaphamau reaching 77.89 metres, up 20 cm, while at Chhatnag it climbed to 73.55 metres, an increase of 9 cm during the same period.Despite the continued rise, all three monitoring stations remain well below the danger level of 84.734 metres. Officials, however, are closely monitoring the situation as intermittent rainfall and upstream discharge continue to influence river behaviour.Experts attribute the increase in water levels to rainfall received over the past few days in the upper catchment areas of Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh. However, they said there is little likelihood of a sharp surge over the next few days as the water level in major Yamuna tributaries, including the Chambal and Ken rivers, has started receding.The discharge of water into the Ganga from Kanpur has also been reduced in recent days. According to official data, the discharge declined from 88,557 cusecs on July 15 to 79,317 cusecs on July 16, and further to 77,563 cusecs on Friday, limiting the possibility of any sudden increase in the river’s level.Meanwhile, rainfall was also recorded in the catchment areas on Friday, with 38.4 mm at Phaphamau, 36.6 mm at Chhatnag and 9.8 mm at Naini.The district administration has already issued a flood alert and directed revenue officials to maintain constant surveillance in vulnerable villages and low-lying areas along the riverbanks. Authorities said the situation is under control but urged residents living near the rivers to remain cautious as the monsoon progresses.
