Rishikesh:
Continuous rainfall in the hilly regions of Uttarakhand’s Garhwal division has pushed the Ganga River in Rishikesh close to its danger mark, prompting the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Jal Police, and Disaster Relief teams to step up safety measures for the thousands of Kanwar pilgrims and residents gathered along the riverbanks.
Ganga Nears Danger Mark at Triveni Ghat
At Triveni Ghat, the Ganga has been flowing with a strong current, with officials from the Central Water Commission noting that the water level remains around 50 centimetres below the warning mark, even as the river continues to swell. Water release from the Tehri Dam has further contributed to the rising levels, with officials cautioning that levels could rise further.
Multi-Agency Safety Push
Personnel from the SDRF, Jal Police, and Disaster Relief Team have jointly appealed to devotees, local residents, and tourists at major ghats in Rishikesh, Muni Ki Reti, and Laxman Jhula to immediately vacate riverbanks and move to safer locations. Using loudhailers, officials have been warning the public that the swift and dangerous current makes the riverbanks unsafe during this period. Additional Sub-Inspector of SDRF, Mahavir Chauhan, said rescue personnel have been deployed for constant surveillance and rapid response at the ghats.
Police on High Alert
Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police Pramendra Dobhal said Dehradun Police has been placed on high alert in view of the continuous heavy rainfall across the district and neighbouring hill areas, adding that he was personally monitoring the situation to ensure a swift response to any emergency. Police teams have been deployed across all station jurisdictions, carrying out continuous patrols at vulnerable and flood-prone locations, including riverbanks and streams, since the previous night.
Advisory for Kanwar Pilgrims
With the Kanwar Yatra drawing large numbers of pilgrims to Rishikesh’s ghats to collect Gangajal, authorities have urged devotees to strictly follow administration advisories, avoid venturing near the river, and immediately alert the control room or disaster response teams in case of an emergency.
Note: This report is based on statements from SDRF, police, and disaster management officials available at the time of publication. Water levels and safety advisories may change as conditions evolve.
