Prayagraj: The rising waters of Ganga and Yamuna are once again triggering concern in Prayagraj, with Ganga touching the entrance of Nagvasuki temple in Daraganj and floodwater inundating the road in front of the shrine. The stretch has become inaccessible to both vehicles and pedestrians, while rising water has also forced cremation pyres to be lit on roads near affected areas.Ganga continued to rise through Saturday morning. At 8am on Saturday, the river stood at 81.1 metres at Phaphamau, up from 80.87 metres at 8pm on Friday, a rise of 24 cm in just 12 hours. At Chhatnag, the level increased from 80.17 metres on Friday night to 80.34 metres on Saturday morning, while Yamuna at Naini rose from 80.59 metres to 80.69 metres during the same period.The continuing rise has brought several riverside areas under increasing pressure. At Nagvasuki temple, Ganga Path in front of the shrine has been submerged, cutting off regular movement. At Rasulabad Ghat, the memorial of Maharajin Bua is already partly submerged, while the river is gradually advancing towards the cremation ground.The situation is also worrying residents of the low-lying settlements along Ganga in Chhota Baghada. Several families have started shifting their belongings to safer places as the river steadily approaches residential areas. Residents said water had entered several houses along the riverbank after heavy rain three days ago, and the continued rise in the river has heightened fears of further inundation.In Jhunsi, rising water has filled the drains, forcing the 16-MLD sewage treatment plant to suspend water treatment. The rising Yamuna is also increasing concern among people living in the kachhari areas.Despite the rising levels of Ganga and Yamuna, the irrigation department has so far ruled out an immediate flood threat in Prayagraj. Officials said the rise at Phaphamau and Chhatnag was being influenced by Tons, whose level rose by 1.80 metres in 24 hours between Thursday and Friday morning.Flood water of river Ganga has reached the road near the entrance of Bade Hanuman temple of Sangam and may enter open premises of the temple in the next 24 hours and bathe the deity in 36 hours or so.Officials said they were closely monitoring Ganga, Yamuna and Tons, while the district administration has also stepped up vigilance amid the rising water levels.Meanwhile, rainwater has still not been flushed out from some of the localities of the city including parts of Rambagh, Baigan kaa tola, etc.
