Rising water level in twin rivers all set to delay preparations for Magh Mela

Prayagraj: The constant rise in water level of Ganga and Yamuna for third day in a row in this time of the year has posed troubles for preparations of the Magh Mela that usually begins from October and jeopardised the livelihood of teerth purohits and boatmen.
The rise in water level of both the rivers and the ensuing flood is because of rain in several parts of northern India for the past one week. Water level in both the rivers has been rising since October 11 because of which boatmen and pandas have been forced to shift to safer places.
The flood water has reached the road in front of Bade Hanuman temple because of which the entire sandy bank from the temple to Nagvasuki temple of Daraganj has been inundated.
Despite this, many devotees were seen wading through flood waters on Friday to reach out to pandas.
“We have shifted our boxes used to keep the bahi (records of their disciples) and furniture etc to safe places but are forced to stay here at out camp because this is one place where our ‘jajman’ (disciples) would come searching for us,” said Abhishek panda.
The water level in Yamuna (as recorded by the flood control department at 4pm of October 11) was 78.06m which increased to 80.15m at 4pm on October 14. Likewise, the level of water in Ganga at Phaphamau was 79.20m on October 11 and the same has increased to 80.50m on Friday (4pm). Water level at Chhatnag was 77.67m on October 11 and on Friday it stood at 79.60m. Magh Mela authorities claim that this unprecedented flood in this time of the year will hamper the preparation work for the annual religious fair set to be held in January 2023.
They claim that even though when the water recedes in coming days, the vast sandy banks may not get dried up completely because of the shorter duration of sunshine and high level of humidity.
This would result in silt and heavily moist banks and delay the work of installing of poles or laying of water pipelines for the fair.