Rishikesh, Aug. 6 -- Continuous heavy rainfall has caused the water level of the River Ganga to rise significantly at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, with water seen touching the idol of Lord Shiva at the ashram's Aarti Sthal.

An employee at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Pankaj Kumar Dwivedi, said that the cloudburst in Uttarkashi on Tuesday led to the water level rising above the danger mark.

He added that for safety reasons, people are not allowed near the riverbanks and all entrances to the ghats have been locked.

Speaking to ANI, Pankaj Kumar Dwivedi said, "Right now, the water level of the Ganga is rising all over Parmarth, and even the Shiva idol is starting to sink. Yesterday's accident in Uttarkashi has caused the water level ...