Locals say rising Ganga, Yamuna levels shift Sangam point in Prayagraj; shops, businesses affected

Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], August 23 (ANI): The water levels of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers continued to rise in Prayagraj, causing the Sangam area to shift closer to the banks and bringing water into low-lying areas near the Nagvasuki Temple, according to locals in the area.
The rising water has also affected areas around the Sangam, with local businesses and shops facing disruptions as the river gradually approaches the nearby structures.
A local resident, Rajesh Pandey, said on Sunday that the rise in water level is a recurring phenomenon during the season but noted that the changing waterline has brought the Sangam closer to the Hanuman Temple area.
"The water levels of both the Ganga and Yamuna are rising. This happens every year. The water comes close to the Hanuman Temple. Earlier, the Sangam area was far, but as the water level rises, it comes closer to the Hanuman Temple," Pandey told ANI.
He added that the rising water also has an impact on local shops and businesses operating in the area.
"The rising water also affects local shops and businesses to some extent," he said.
The Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers, is one of Prayagraj's most prominent religious and cultural landmarks and attracts pilgrims and visitors throughout the year.
During periods of rising river levels, the geography of the Sangam area changes considerably as the water advances towards low-lying stretches and structures along the riverbanks.
The development is being closely watched by local residents and businesses in areas adjoining the river, particularly those dependent on pilgrims and visitors to the Sangam.
The rise in the Ganga and Yamuna water levels also comes amid increased river levels being reported at several locations across north India following the monsoon rains. Authorities generally monitor river levels and the condition of low-lying areas during such periods to assess the need for precautionary measures. (ANI)