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Ganga, Yamuna begin to recede in Prayagraj
Officials say situation under control, but monitoring and preparedness measures will continue in view of ongoing rain across region
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After rising steadily over the past few days, water level of the Ganga and the Yamuna has started receding in Prayagraj, bringing relief to residents living in low-lying and flood-prone areas.
According to the flood control room’s 4 pm bulletin on Monday, water levels at all four major gauge stations in the district registered a decline over the previous 24 hours. The sharpest drop was recorded at Chhatnag, where the Ganga’s water level fell by 11 cm.
The Yamuna’s level declined by 6 cm at Naini and 8 cm at the STP Bakshi Bandh gauge station, while the Ganga level at Phaphamau dropped by 8 cm during the same period.
On Monday evening, the level of Yamuna was recorded at 80.04 metres at Naini while the Ganga was recorded flowing at 80.95 metres at Phaphamau, 79.54 metres at Chhatnag, and 80.13 metres at the STP Bakshi Bandh. All readings remained well below the danger mark of 84.734 metres, officials said.
District authorities said all embankments were currently safe and are being monitored continuously. During the recent rise in river levels, floodwaters had reached the vicinity of the Shri Bade Hanuman Temple near the Sangam.
However, with the river level now falling, water has started receding from around the temple premises. The decline in water levels has brought some relief to people residing along the riverbanks.
However, despite the encouraging trend, residents of more than 15,000 houses across nearly two dozen low-lying localities, who suffered in last year’s floods that prolonged for nearly a month, have begun taking precautionary measures amid concerns that flooding could occur if the river level rises beyond the 82-metre mark.
Officials said continuous monitoring of floods was being carried out despite the slight decline in water levels in the past 24 hours, as ongoing rainfall in the region could well reverse the trend. The flood control room supervised by an ADM rank official is maintaining round-the-clock surveillance of river levels, while the condition of embankments is also being assessed regularly.
The district administration has intensified its preparedness measures by establishing 97 flood relief centres across the district besides assigning duties of one medical team at each of the centres.
Vinita Singh, ADM (finance and revenue) and nodal officer for flood relief measures, said although river levels have gone down a bit, authorities remain prepared for any flood-like situation due to heavy rainfall in Prayagraj and adjoining areas.
“We have set up 97 flood relief centres. If required, Panchayat Bhawans and government primary school buildings will also be opened to accommodate displaced residents,” Singh said.
Officials said the situation remains under control, but monitoring and preparedness measures will continue in view of ongoing rainfall across the region.
