UP: Flood situation stable in Varanasi

VARANASI: After showing an upward trend for the past several days, the level of water in river Ganga at Varanasi is stable and increased by just around 6 cm in the last 24 hours. However, the river crossed danger mark at Ballia and crossed the warning mark at Gazipur.
With the level of water decreasing at Allahabad, the flood water remained almost constant in all the ghats of the city.Flood water is either at the doorsteps or has entered in several of the low laying localities of the city including Samane ghat, Assi ghat, Nagwan, Maheshnagar, Maruti nagar etc. Locals as well as the administration are keeping a close watch on the level of water at several points and are ready to meet any eventuality.
Situation at localities on the banks of river Varuna remained more or less the same as was on Tuesday. Residents of areas like Nakkhighat, Puranapul, Pulkohna, Saraiyya and other low lying areas were shifting their belongings and the stable water gave them the leniency of yet another day.
As per the records of the Central Water Commission (CWC), the level of water in Ganga at Varanasi was at 69.97 meters as compared to 69.66 mt on Tuesday. The danger mark is 71.26 mt in the city.
"Now that Ganga and Yamuna are receding at Allahabad, the level of water would also show a downward trend in Varanasi and the trend would continue for the next three days", said Pratibha Singh, assistant director (II) at CWC.
The district magistrate Surendra Singh along with a team of officials is continuing to keep a close vigil on the situation. Teams of NDRF, flood companies of PAC and even Army have been asked to be on high alert to carry out rescue operations in case of any emergency.