PRAYAGRAJ, Aug. 22 -- Despite a slight slowdown in the rate at which the Ganga and Yamuna are rising, the threat of flooding continues to loom over Prayagraj district. A warning issued by the Central Water Commission (CWC) on Thursday night over the steadily swelling Belan and Tons rivers heightened concerns among administrative officials and residents living in vulnerable riverbank areas. According to the CWC, water levels in both the Belan and Tons rivers are rising continuously and are expected to increase further in the coming days. Following the warning, district authorities intensified monitoring efforts and dispatched teams to villages situated along the banks of the two rivers. The administration has also stepped up relief and rescue operations in Koraon, where the swelling Belan river has begun affecting several villages. Acting on the directions of district magistrate Manish Kumar Verma, a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has been deployed in the area. Upon arrival, the team took charge of rescue and evacuation operations, reaching flood-affected villages and helping residents move to safer locations. Relief materials are also being distributed to ensure that affected families do not face hardship. Officials have been instructed to maintain round-the-clock surveillance in vulnerable areas. Additional district magistrate (finance and revenue) Vinita Singh, who is heading the flood relief operations, said an alert has been issued in all vulnerable areas. Residents living in flood-prone zones have been advised to vacate their homes and move to safer locations identified by the administration to prevent any loss of life or property. At present, 27 members of seven families are staying in relief camps set up in Koraon. Meanwhile, the Ganga and Yamuna continue to rise. By 8 am on Friday, the Yamuna's water level at Naini had increased by 39 centimetres over the previous 24 hours, reaching 80.32 metres. During the same period, the Ganga's water level at Phaphamau rose by 16 centimetres to 80.73 metres, while at Chhatnag it increased by 43 centimetres to reach 79.97 metres. The upward trend persisted through the day. At 4 pm on Friday, the Ganga at Phaphamau was recorded at 80.81 metres, registering a further rise of 4 centimetres, while at Chhatnag it rose by another 8 centimetres to reach 80.11 metres. The Yamuna at Naini increased by 19 centimetres in the following eight hours to touch 80.51 metres. The danger mark for both rivers is 84.73 metres. However, low-lying localities in the city and surrounding areas usually begin experiencing inundation once water levels cross approximately 81.50 metres. Senior officials have directed field personnel to maintain heightened vigilance in sensitive locations. The warning comes amid a series of river-related incidents over the past two days in which three youths drowned. While one person lost his life, two others were rescued due to the prompt intervention of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) personnel. The steadily rising river levels have already brought water close to the revered Shri Bade Hanuman Ji Temple at the Sangam. If the current trend continues, devotees fear that the Ganga may once again enter the temple premises. During the holy month of Sawan in 2025, devotees witnessed the symbolic spectacle of "Mother Ganga bathing Lord Hanuman" on five occasions when floodwaters reached the temple precincts. Continuous rainfall and rising river levels have already affected several low-lying residential areas, including Ganga Nagar, Kareli and Rajapur. At the same time, anxiety is mounting among residents living along the banks of the Ganga and Yamuna, particularly in Sangam, Daraganj, Salori, Chhota Baghada, Bada Baghada, Shivkuti, Beli, Phaphamau and Naini....