Kanpur/Prayagraj/Varanasi: Rising water levels in the Ganga, Yamuna and Mandakini rivers kept authorities on alert across Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, with floodwaters inundating riverfronts, villages, agricultural fields and low-lying settlements in several districts.In Prayagraj, the Yamuna and Ganga showed fluctuating trends at monitoring points in Naini and Chhatnag, while the Ganga receded at Phaphamau. The release of water from dams in Madhya Pradesh into the Yamuna has increased concern among residents and officials. However, both rivers were still around two metres below the danger mark of 84.73 m.At 8am, the Ganga stood at 82.86 m at Phaphamau and 81.87 m at Chhatnag, while the Yamuna was at 82.20 m at Naini. By noon, the Yamuna rose by 14cm to 82.34 m. The Ganga fell by 4cm at Phaphamau to 82.82 m, but rose by 4cm at Chhatnag to 81.91 .Riverfront areas and neighbourhoods, including Daraganj, Ganga Nagar, Om Nagar, Shanti Puram and Uchwa Garhi, have been inundated. The administration has activated 88 flood relief posts, while NDRF, PAC and Jal Police teams are stationed in vulnerable areas and near ghats.In Chitrakoot, the Mandakini river has swelled to dangerous levels after incessant rain in its catchment areas in Markundi, Manikpur and adjoining regions. The river rose to 135.2 m on Aug 29, around 8.5 m above its danger mark of 126.5 m. Its level stood at 127.1 m on Wednesday.Ramghat and adjoining areas were the worst affected. Floodwaters entered shops, the tempo stand, Purani Lanka, the Kamadgiri route and settlements along the riverbank. More than 60 people were evacuated from Ramghat and Taraunha. Around 400 kutcha houses were damaged and over 30 collapsed. The bridge linking Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh near Ramghat was also submerged.Additional DG, Prayagraj zone, Jyoti Narayan said NDRF, SDRF and Jal Police teams had been deployed. Boats were being used to transport drinking water, food and essential supplies. Drone surveillance was underway in Ramghat and Nirmohi Akhara areas.In eastern Uttar Pradesh, the Ganga crossed warning levels in Varanasi and danger marks in Ballia and Ghazipur. The river was at 70.38 metres in Varanasi against the warning level of 70.26 m, 59.41 m in Ballia against the danger mark of 57.61 m, and 63.35 m in Ghazipur against 63.1 m.Varanasi has reported 2,841 displaced people, while 16 relief camps are operating. Ghazipur has activated 152 flood posts, 46 shelters and 229 boats. Sonbhadra and Chandauli authorities are monitoring dams and evacuating families from vulnerable areas.
