Prayagraj: Thousands of families living in the city’s low-lying areas continue to face the threat of flooding as the water levels of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers have started rising again.Residents of areas such as Chota Baghara, Baghara, Ganga Nagar, Beli Gaon, Rajapur, Newada, Mehdauri, Chilla, Salori, Govindpur, Daraganj, Sadiabad, Bakshi Moda and adjoining localities said they were living in constant fear of floods.Officials of the flood control department attributed the rise in river levels to the discharge of additional rainwater from several dams in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The district administration has already issued an alert and activated 98 flood outposts across six tehsils of the district.Authorities claimed that adequate arrangements were in place and that more than 100 people had already taken shelter in relief camps. Officials said strict vigilance was being maintained in vulnerable areas.According to officials, water is being released into the Yamuna through the Ken and Betwa rivers from the Matatila, Dhaulpur and Hathnikund dams. Similarly, water is being discharged into the Ganga from the Narora, Kanpur and Haridwar barrages.By noon, the water levels of both rivers were rising gradually at all three monitoring stations. The Ganga was flowing at 82.96 metres at Phaphamau and 82.20 metres at Chhatnag, while the Yamuna stood at 82.55 metres at Naini, nearly 2 metres below the danger mark of 84.73 metres.At 8 am, the Ganga’s water level had risen by 7 cm at Phaphamau and 29 cm at Chhatnag. The river was recorded at 82.93 metres at Phaphamau and 82.16 metres at Chhatnag. During the same period, the Yamuna rose by 34 cm to reach 82.54 metres at Naini. By 4 pm, both rivers were stable, said officials.The rapidly changing situation has left residents concerned.“With the water level rising, floodwaters will eventually enter our homes and colonies in low-lying areas, forcing us to move to safer places,” said Aryan, a resident of Baghara.
