Prayagraj: The water levels of both the Ganga and Yamuna rivers showed a consistent downward trend throughout Monday, bringing much-needed hope to over 1.5 lakh people impacted by the flooding.Officials monitoring the situation confirmed that the water levels, which surged dangerously over the weekend, are now receding steadily. The readings on Monday indicate a marked improvement between morning and evening, signalling that the worst of the flooding may be over—if weather conditions remain stable.At 8am, the Yamuna at Naini was recorded at 82.59m, having dropped 60cm over the previous 24 hours. By 4pm, it receded further to 82.24m, marking an additional fall of 35cm during the day. The current level remains comfortably below the danger mark of 84.734m.The Ganga followed a similar trend. At Phaphamau, the water level dropped from 82.90m in the morning to 82.74m by late afternoon—a total dip of 16cm throughout the day. Chhatnag recorded a fall from 81.90m to 81.70m while at the Buxi STP gauge point, the level dropped from 82.48m to 82.26m between the two readings.“These are positive signs, and we are cautiously optimistic. However, we cannot afford to relax as the threat of renewed flooding still exists if heavy rainfall occurs in the upstream catchment areas. Thus, we are keeping a tight vigil,” said Digvijay Narayan Shukla, executive engineer of the irrigation department.Over the weekend, both the Ganga and Yamuna showed alarming increases. The Yamuna alone surged by 56cm on Saturday, sparking concern across low-lying areas. However, Sunday night marked the beginning of a turnaround. The Ganga, which saw a 45cm rise in Phaphamau in just 24 hours, slowed significantly, rising by only 2cm on Sunday before beginning to recede.Emergency response teams remain active, and relief operations are ongoing in vulnerable zones. Authorities continue to monitor upstream dam releases and weather forecast to stay ahead of any changes. Multiple relief camps are still operating, offering shelter, food, and medical aid to displaced residents.While Prayagraj is not yet out of danger, the falling river levels provide a renewed sense of hope. If the current trend continues and no significant rainfall hits the river basins in the coming days, the city may soon see an end to this year’s flood crisis.
