Heavy rain triggers flood scare across UP, Uttarakhand; Ganga, Yamuna water levels rise

DEHRADUN: Heavy overnight rainfall in Dehradun and adjoining areas caused the Tamasa River, which flows through the premises of the historic Shri Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple, to swell significantly, local officials said on Tuesday.The torrential rains across northern India have led to flood-like conditions along several major river basins, affecting multiple districts in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.In Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, rising water levels in both the Ganga and Yamuna rivers forced floodwaters into residential settlements along the riverbanks, causing distress among residents and prompting municipal authorities to keep response teams on alert.Similarly, in Varanasi, the water level of the Ganga River has been continuously rising due to sustained heavy rainfall upstream, inundating low-lying areas and disrupting routine activity along the city's prominent ghats.Local administrations across the affected regions are closely monitoring the situation, with emergency service personnel deployed near riverbanks to prevent any untoward incidents.Meanwhile, all government, private, and non-government schools from Classes 1 to 12 as well as Anganwadi centres in Dehradun district will remain closed on Tuesday in view of the forecast for heavy to very heavy rainfall, lightning, and extremely heavy spells of rain in parts of the district, officials told news agency ANI.The one-day holiday was declared by Dehradun District Magistrate and District Disaster Management Authority chairperson as a precautionary measure following the issuance of an Orange alert.According to the order issued on August 31, the latest weather forecast and nowcast indicated the possibility of severe weather conditions over the next 24 hours.The Chief Education Officer and District Programme Officer, Dehradun, have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the order across all educational institutions.Meanwhile, the water level of the Ganga in Rishikesh has risen amid continuous heavy rainfall in the hilly areas of the Garhwal division, though the river remains below the warning mark, officials said.The Ganga was flowing swiftly at Triveni Ghat. However, officials from the Central Water Commission said the river level was still within the normal range and below the danger threshold.Amid rising water levels, teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Water Police and Disaster Relief Teams have been deployed at major ghats across Rishikesh, Muni Ki Reti and Lakshman Jhula.Emergency personnel are also making regular announcements over loudspeakers, urging devotees, tourists and local residents to exercise caution and stay away from the riverbanks. (With agency inputs)Stay updated with the latest Dehradun news. Download the TOI App.