Prayagraj: While the Ganga and Yamuna showed a receding trend at Chhatnag and Naini, the Ganga at Phaphamau continued to rise on Thursday. Officials also warned of a likely rise in the Belan and Tons rivers following increased discharge and rainfall in the Belan catchment area.After a gap of two days, the Yamuna and Ganga showed a marginal receding trend at two monitoring points, bringing relief to the district administration and residents of low-lying areas. However, residents said normalcy could not be maintained until the monsoon season ends, as the rivers have shown repeated rising and receding trends over the past fortnight.The water levels of both rivers started showing a marginal receding trend at two monitoring points, Chhatnag and Naini, on Thursday.Residents of low-lying areas said they face uncertainty whenever the rivers swell during the monsoon. Although the rivers did not cross the danger mark this year, the repeated rise and fall in water levels kept many on edge.At 4 pm, the water levels of the Ganga at Phaphamau and Chhatnag were recorded at 81.94 m and 81.11 m, respectively, while the water level of the Yamuna at Naini stood at 81.56 m.Officials said the water levels of the Yamuna and Ganga started receding during the afternoon, while they were on a rising trend in the morning. At 12 noon, the water levels of the Ganga at Phaphamau and Chhatnag were recorded at 81.92 m and 81.12 m, respectively, while the water level of the Yamuna at Naini stood at 81.59 m.Officials, however, said rainfall in the Belan River catchment area on Wednesday night caused the water level at the Nadaura gauge station to rise at a rate of 2 cm per hour. Besides, a discharge of 24,240 cusecs passed through the Belan-Baraudha pickup weir on Thursday morning. As a result, the water level at the Nadaura gauge station rose at a rate of 14.67 cm/hour between 6 am and 12 pm on Thursday.At 12 pm, a discharge of 56,960 cusecs passed through the Baraudha pickup weir, which was 32,720 cusecs higher than the discharge recorded at 8 am on Thursday morning.Currently, the water level of the Belan River is rising at a rate of 12 cm/hour and, due to the aforementioned discharge, a rise of 2 metres in the river’s water level is anticipated. Besides, there is a strong likelihood of a rise in the water level of the Tons River as well.In rural parts of the district, waterlogging is likely in low-lying areas along the riverbanks, and residents of these areas have been advised to move to safer locations.
