PRAYAGRAJ, Sept. 9 -- The Ganga in Prayagraj is steadily rising, standing just 72 centimeters below the official danger mark of 84.73 meters as of 4pm on Monday. At Phaphamau, the river measured 83.81 meters at 8am and rose to 84.01 meters by 4pm, increasing at a rate of around 3.5 cm per hour.

If the current pace continues, the Ganga is expected to cross the danger mark by Tuesday. Over the past 24 hours-from Sunday 8am to Monday 8am-the river rose 85 centimeters at Phaphamau and 72 centimeters at Chhatnag, indicating a sharp upward trend. In contrast, the Yamuna is rising at a comparatively slower rate, increasing 69 centimeters at Naini during the same period.

Earlier, the Yamuna was surging faster than the Ganga, but that trend appe...