Rising water levels in the Ganga over the past 24 hours have heightened flood concerns across low-lying areas in Prayagraj, particularly among university students in rented riverbank accommodations.
Although the pace of the rise slowed on Sunday and the Yamuna showed signs of stabilising, district authorities remain on high alert due to ongoing rainfall forecasts.
Yamuna, Ganga water levels continue to waiver
According to irrigation department officials, floodwaters from the Ken Betwa, and Chambal rivers continue to feed the Yamuna, while the swollen Tons river is driving increased flow into the Ganga. While neither river has crossed the danger mark of 84.73 meters, officials warned that fresh rainfall in upstream catchment areas could trigger another rapid rise.
Providing some relief to residents, the Ganga’s water level at Phaphamau stabilized at 81.27 metres around noon on Sunday. Between 12 noon and 4 pm, the river recorded its first decline of the week, although by only 1 centimetre to 81.26 meters. The Yamuna also showed signs of receding, with its level falling 17 cm between 8 am and 4 pm to 80.46 metres.
As of 8 am on Sunday, the Ganga was flowing at 81.27 metres, having risen 16 cm during the previous 24 hours. The Yamuna at Naini, meanwhile, registered its first decline in nearly a week, receding 6 cm to 80.63 metres during the same period.
{{/usCountry}}As of 8 am on Sunday, the Ganga was flowing at 81.27 metres, having risen 16 cm during the previous 24 hours. The Yamuna at Naini, meanwhile, registered its first decline in nearly a week, receding 6 cm to 80.63 metres during the same period.
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Anxiety remains high across vulnerable localities including Salori, Chhota Baghada, Bada Baghada, Teliarganj, Rajapur, Daraganj, and Rasulabad. Many students and residents have begun shifting essential belongings and household items to higher floors.
In outlying rural pockets such as Bampur, Maheva Kalan, Dengurpur, and Badpur in the Manda region, floodwaters have inundated agricultural fields, damaging vegetable crops and Kharif sowings. Villagers are making contingency plans to move livestock and essential supplies if river levels rise further.
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Irrigation Department weighs in
Irrigation Department officials said a substantial volume of water continues to enter the river system from upstream barrages and dams. On Sunday morning, 3.10 lakh cusecs were released from the Kanpur Barrage, 91,000 cusecs from Haridwar Barrage, 1.35 lakh cusecs from Narora Dam, 1.65 lakh cusecs from Matatila Dam and 2.50 lakh cusecs from Hathnikund Barrage.
In total, nearly nine lakh cusecs of water is currently flowing downstream. Officials noted that release volumes were significantly higher than normal and had been nearly double this level two days earlier.
DN Shukla, executive engineer of the irrigation department’s flood division, noted that floodwaters reached the gates of the historic Lete Hanuman Temple near the Sangam. “If the water level rises by another 50 cm, the famed Maha-Snan (ceremonial bath) of Bade Hanumanji will take place,” Shukla said.
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Additional district magistrate (finance and revenue) Vinita Singh stated that flood relief shelters have been activated and temporary control posts manned. National disaster response force (NDRF) and state disaster response force (SDRF) teams have been placed on standby, with food supplies and medical assistance ensured across designated camps.