The flood threat intensified in Prayagraj on Saturday as the water levels of the Ganga and Yamuna continued to rise rapidly toward the danger mark, inundating roads, riverfront areas and low-lying localities.
According to the irrigation department, the danger mark for both rivers in Prayagraj is 84.734 metres. By Saturday morning, records from the flood control room revealed, the Ganga was flowing at 81.11 metres, while the Yamuna had reached 80.69 metres.
In the past 24 hours, the Ganga’s water level rose by 38 cm and the Yamuna’s by 37 cm. Officials said the rising inflow is being driven by water released from the Haridwar, Narora and Kanpur barrages into the Ganga, and from the Ken, Betwa, Chambal and Tons rivers into the Yamuna.
Records revealed at 8 am, 308,309 cusecs of water was released from Kanpur Barrage, 1,34,584 cusecs from Narora barrage besides 96,731 cusecs from Haridwar.
The swelling rivers have submerged nearly two kilometres of the Ganga Path road, from Sadiyabad to the Nagvasuki Temple. Access to the temple from the Ganga Path side has been completely cut off, with devotees now able to reach it only through Daraganj.
The rising waters have also disrupted cremations at Daraganj Ghat. As the traditional cremation grounds along the riverbank remain underwater, families are being forced to conduct last rites on nearby roads.
{{/usCountry}}The rising waters have also disrupted cremations at Daraganj Ghat. As the traditional cremation grounds along the riverbank remain underwater, families are being forced to conduct last rites on nearby roads.
{{/usCountry}}Water levels rising steadily
Officials said more than five lakh cusecs of water are entering the Ganga-Yamuna system daily from upstream release points. The rivers are currently rising at a rate of around 1.5 to 2 cm per hour, and the pace could increase further if rainfall continues in the catchment areas.
Records from the flood control room revealed between 8am and 4pm on Saturday, the Ganga’s water level swelled 4 cm, reaching 81.19 metres, while the Yamuna reached 80.84 metres, registering a rise of 1 cm in the past 8 hours.
With the situation turning critical, the district administration has activated its round-the-clock flood control room at the district magistrate’s office. An additional district magistrate-rank officer has been appointed to oversee emergency response and flood-related assistance.
Residents can contact the flood control room on 0532-2641577, 0532-2641578 and 0532-2644024 for information or assistance.
Officials said the control room had received several calls since Saturday morning from residents seeking updates on river levels and flood preparedness.
Water enters homes, ghats submerged
As the Ganga crossed the 81-metre mark at Phaphamau on Saturday morning, floodwaters began entering houses in several riverside localities. Residents from vulnerable areas have started moving to relief shelters.
The rise in water levels has also increased the likelihood of the annual “Maha-Snan” of Bade Hanuman Ji, a phenomenon that occurs when floodwaters enter the historic Hanuman Temple near the Sangam and submerge the deity. By Saturday evening, water had already reached the temple’s boundary wall.
Several prominent ghats and riverfront locations, including Sangam, Ramghat, Sangam Pakka Ghat, VIP Ghat, Qila Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Saraswati Ghat and Arail Ghat, have been partially or completely submerged. Shopkeepers and temporary camp operators along the riverbank have shifted their belongings to safer areas.
District magistrate Manish Kumar Verma said relief posts have been activated across vulnerable areas as a precautionary measure. He said all sub-divisional magistrates and revenue officials have been directed to closely monitor the situation in their respective jurisdictions and respond promptly to any emergency.
The district administration has instructed officials to launch immediate relief and rescue operations wherever required. Verma appealed to residents living in flood-affected and low-lying areas to shift to safer locations or move to relief camps established by the administration.
He said the administration is ensuring adequate arrangements at the relief camps, including essential facilities for displaced families, as authorities remain on high alert amid the steadily rising water levels of the Ganga and Yamuna.
Villagers seek flood-resilient power infrastructure
Meanwhile, residents of Badra-Sonauti village in Jhunsi submitted a memorandum to the district administration seeking improved electricity infrastructure.
Former Zila Panchayat member Dhanpatti Devi said power supply is routinely disconnected for 15 to 20 days during floods, leaving residents in darkness and increasing the risk from snakes and other venomous creatures. She urged authorities to install 11 KV bundled power cables on electricity poles to ensure uninterrupted supply during the flood season.