Mathura 2016.08.02 (VT): Heavy rainfall in and around Mathura has resulted in sharp increase in Yamuna water level. This has raised the concern for farmers and people living near the river. Farmers have even destroyed a small portion of Agra Canal to provide outlet for water and save their farming land from sinking into the water.
Yamuna flowing near danger mark at Prayag Ghat, Mathura
The water level of Yamuna has crossed the warning sign at Prayag Ghat. It is flowing at 164.58 metres whereas the danger level stands at 164.20 metres. The amount of water being discharged continuously from Okhla barrage and Tajewala Dam has already raised concern for the authorities.
Heavy rainfall in the mountains has resulted in a continuous flow of water from these barrages due to which the river is expected to remain above the danger mark for a few days.
Irrigational land near the riverfront is sinking underwater due to the sharp rise in Yamuna water levels. Many farms have already been submerged in Nauh Jheel, Surir, Vrindavan, Mathura and the Gokul-Mahavan areas.
The water has even reached the colonies situated along the riverfront raising concern for people living there. Vrindavan is worst affected as water level is higher here in comparison to Mathura and other areas. Many places in Gaur Nagar colony and Rajpur were underwater yesterday due to blockages in the Vrindavan Minor drain.
Vrindavan Minor was a small canal that used to bring water for the gardens of Banke Bihari Bagichi, Maa Anandamayee Ashram, Ramakrishna Mission Sevashram, Jaipur Mandir, Kaladhari Bagichi, etc. Eventually it turned into a drain, as there was not enough water and people started encroaching on it.
A unit of PAC deployed in Yamuna
A unit of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) of UP Police has been deployed at Keshi Ghat in Vrindavan as the water level has reached the top steps of the ghat now. This unit will be there until Shri Krishna Janmashthami for both security and safety reasons.
Cement bags are also being used at Keshi Ghat to avoid cracks due to water logging. The Parikrama Marg is very narrow here and the rise in Yamuna water level might result in it cracking.
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