Ganga and Yamuna recede from danger levels as Prayagraj flood threat eases

Four days without rain have allowed river levels in Prayagraj to fall steadily, pulling back the floodwaters that had swamped homes across low-lying areas and offering residents their first breathing space in days.

As of 8 a.m. on 7 September 2026, the Yamuna at Naini stood at 81.76 metres, down 19 centimetres in the previous 24 hours. The Ganga at Phaphamau measured 82.01 metres, a drop of 25 centimetres, while at Chatnag the river fell 12 centimetres to 81.30 metres. At the STP Bakshi Dam, water levels declined by 20 centimetres to 81.87 metres.

The district's flood danger threshold is set at 84.734 metres, and all embankments have been reported secure. No rainfall was recorded at any monitoring station.

Threat Diminishes as Rivers Retreat

The steady decline in the Ganga and Yamuna is reducing the flood risk in downstream neighbourhoods, where rising water had forced its way into houses in recent days. Floodwaters had created a crisis in several pockets, and the retreat has brought palpable relief.

Skies over Prayagraj remained overcast with dense black clouds, and strong winds were blowing, though no rain fell. With intermittent sunshine breaking through, humidity surged, replacing the cooler conditions of the wet spell. The weather department has indicated conditions may shift again in coming days, with renewed rain possible.

Statewide Floods Claim Five Lives

Elsewhere in Uttar Pradesh, the release of water from barrages and persistent rain have sent the Saryu, Sharda, Ghaghara, Ramganga and Ganga into spate. In Farrukhabad, the Ganga was flowing just 10 centimetres below the danger mark, and fierce erosion swept away 16 pucca houses and nine huts.

Twenty-five districts remain flood-affected, with Barabanki reporting 54 villages directly hit and Bahraich seeing 15 villages completely encircled by water. In Barabanki, the Saryu was flowing above the danger mark, affecting 60 villages with flooding and erosion. Residents in low-lying tracts have been forced to gather their belongings and move to safer ground.

Floods and accidents linked to heavy rain have killed five people. Two sisters drowned while bathing at Saryu Ghat in Bhauriganj, Gonda. In Badaun, a man slipped into floodwater from the Ramganga and died. A farmer was killed when his kutcha house collapsed under continuous downpours in Muradabad, Amroha or Badaun, and several others were seriously injured in similar incidents. A teenager drowned while bathing in a drain in Jalaun.

In Unnao, the Ganga was flowing 49 centimetres above the warning point. Varanasi and Ghazipur recorded marginal declines in water levels, but silt and mud left in streets and lanes have raised fears of infectious disease outbreaks.

Relief Operations Under Way

Authorities have evacuated 19,454 people to safety, including 8,264 rescued on Sunday alone. The government has distributed more than 5.94 lakh lunch packets and over 1.03 lakh relief kits in flood-hit districts. Rescue teams have deployed 2,075 boats and motorboats, and 1,315 flood shelters housing 6,698 people have been established. On Sunday, 63,955 lunch packets and 11,249 food-grain packets were handed out in affected areas.

The 25 districts still grappling with floods include Ayodhya, Azamgarh, Bahraich, Badaun, Ballia, Barabanki, Basti, Chandauli, Farrukhabad, Ghazipur, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Hardoi, Kasganj, Kanpur Nagar, Lakhimpur Kheri, Mirzapur, Muradabad, Prayagraj, Raebareli, Rampur, Sant Kabir Nagar, Shahjahanpur, Unnao and Varanasi. Twelve districts have seen flood conditions ease.

Administration and excise and revenue department teams continue to monitor the situation in riparian areas. In Banda district, an SDM suspended a woman lekhpal with immediate effect on charges of illegal extortion from villagers during a damage survey.

Monsoon Weakens Across State

Monsoon activity has begun to flag across roughly 50 districts, with most areas now expecting only scattered showers. Some districts may see light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning. The slowdown is likely to increase daytime humidity and heat.

In Lucknagar on Sunday, the maximum temperature reached 32.5 degrees Celsius and the minimum 25.5 degrees. Senior meteorologist Atul Kumar Singh said monsoon activity has weakened in many parts of the state following days of heavy rain, and conditions will vary across districts in the days ahead.

An alert for heavy rain was issued for Bahraich, Balrampur, Bijnor, Lakhimpur Kheri, Maharajganj, Muradabad, Siddharthnagar and Shravasti. Gonda, Balrampur and around a dozen western districts may receive moderate to heavy rainfall. From Tuesday, conditions are forecast to turn dry across eastern and western districts.

Bareilly recorded the highest rainfall in the state on Sunday at 141.3 mm, followed by Bijnor with 134 mm and Muradabad with 114 mm. Maximum temperatures rose slightly in most districts but remained below normal.