GHATS IN KASHI CUT OFF AS RIVERS CONTINUE TO RISE

Iconic ghats of Varanasi were disconnected due to rise in the Ganga water level even as upward trend in the Yamuna and the Ganga continued in Allahabad on the sixth day in a row on Sunday. In Varanasi, the Ganga increased by 1.25 metres in the last 24 hours. As per the Central Water Commission, the water level rose to 64.62 metres on Sunday. It was 62.47 metres on Saturday. Officials of the department say that the Ganga is likely to swell further due continuous drizzling that began on Sunday morning. The stairs of various ghats got submerged in the river water that ended connectivity between the ghats.

Those visiting the ghats didn’t miss the opportunity to catch the glimpses of boats plying in Ganga with more than sufficient water. Even though the boatmen still ply the boats in the midstream, they take extra precautionary measures. Taking a boat ride in the swelling river is once a year opportunity.

In Allahabad, the flood control room said the Ganga level in Phaphamau was recorded 78.41 metre while at Chatnag it was 77.27 metres. The level of Yamuna in Naini was recorded 78.08 metres. Officials of the flood department attributed the continuous rise in both the rivers to ongoing heavy rain in Madhya Pradesh. Between 12 noon and 4 pm on Sunday, water level of the Ganga increased by 4cm while that of the Yamuna swelled by 3 cm.

Executive engineer, irrigation, (flood division) Manoj Kumar Singh said it was witnessed every year during monsoon. “Heavy and continuous rain in Madhya Pradesh has resulted in swelling of rivers like Kain, Betua and Chambal. These rivers join the Yamuna near Banda due to which level of Yamuna followed by the Ganga was on the rise.” “As compared to previous days, the pace of rise has declined in the last 24-hrs. We are keeping a close watch as the same is expected to rise sharply in next two to three days as Yamuna has crossed danger mark in Delhi,” he said.

The Ganga is also rising in Ghazipur and Mirzapur where water level was recorded 56.63 and 70.36 metres respectively. The level was 55.11 and 69 metres respectively on Saturday.