LUCKNOW, Oct. 7 -- The Gomti continued its relentless rise in Lucknow on Tuesday, reaching levels not seen in nearly two decades, while floodwaters entered homes in Gomti Nagar Extension and submerged cremation platforms at Bhaisakund. The river rose further at Gaughat, Hanuman Setu and the Gomti barrage despite a marginal decline in its level at Bhatpurva upstream. Irrigation officials expect the downstream rise to ease once the recession gathers pace upstream.

The latest spell has brought the Gomti to levels comparable to those recorded in 2008, when the river reached around 108 metres at Gaughat, according to irrigation department officials.

Water entered the Bhaisakund cremation ground in the early hours of Tuesday, submerging aroun...