Varanasi/Prayagraj, Aug. 7 -- Heavy rainfall over the past several days has caused water levels in the Ganga and Yamuna rivers to rise across Prayagraj and Varanasi. In Varanasi, the rising Ganga has neared the Aarti platform at Dashashwamedh Ghat, with officials indicating the ceremony may move to a higher location on Friday.

Prayagraj situation

According to the Flood Control Room's 8 am report on Thursday, river levels in Prayagraj have shown a consistent upward trend over the last 24 hours. The Yamuna at Naini reached 75.22 meters (up from 74.96 meters). The Ganga rose to 78.60 meters at Phaphamau and 74.92 meters at Chhatnag, with the latter recording the sharpest rise of 33 centimetres.

Officials attributed the surge to persistent...