Haridwar: The water level in river Ganga surged significantly in Haridwar and Rishikesh on Thursday after torrential rains across Uttarakhand. On Thursday, the water level of River Ganga in Haridwar reached 293.35 meters while danger mark is fixed on 294 meters. For the safety of people, the administration has issued an alert for the people for not going close to rivers and streams.
#WATCH | Uttarakhand: The water level of River Ganga in Haridwar reached near the danger mark, currently flowing at 293.35 meters.
The danger mark is 294 metres. pic.twitter.com/uL6uzjgO0E
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) August 1, 2024
Police are making announcements through loudspeakers
Since the rivers in Uttarakhand are in spate and overflowing the Ghats, authorities are closely monitoring the situation. For this, the state disaster response force (SDRF) has issued a warning for pilgrims, urging them not to go close to the river and take baths. Simultaneously, the police are making announcements on Ganga Ghats in Haridwar and Rishikesh. As Ganga’s water level is continuously rising and seemingly crossing the danger mark amid heavy rains, people bathing/living on the banks of Ganga are being alerted by making announcements through loudspeakers for their safety. Along with this, water police, divers and local police are regularly roaming on the Ganga Ghats and keeping a vigilant eye on the people coming to the Ganga Ghats.
A total of 168 Kanwariyas have been saved by SDRF
Since the commencement of Kanwar yatra on 22 July, the SDRF has saved at least 168 Kanwariyas from drowning in Ganga. On Wednesday, a total of 28 Kanwariyas were saved from drowning by SDRF Uttarakhand Police jawans at Kangra Ghat during the Kanwar Mela. On Tuesday, SDRF rescued 58 Kanwar pilgrims from Ganga River while over 30 were saved on Monday from drowning at Kangra Ghat in Haridwar. Most of these Kanwariyas are youngsters, primarily between 20 and 25 years. Till now, the proactive measures taken by SDRF have been helpful in prevention of any fatalities related to Kanwar pilgrims.
Two persons swept away in the river in Dehradun
Despite issuing advisory for the people for not going close to rivers and streams in the state, some people have been ignoring this, and resultantly, two persons were swept away in the river near Sahastradhara parking in Dehradun on Thursday. The SDRF unit immediately rushed to the spot and recovered the bodies. The SDRF team was informed by the local people about two persons taking bath in the river bank and suddenly both the persons were swept away in deep water.