Prayagraj, Aug 25 (IANS): The water level of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers has started rising at an alarming rate, forcing many residents living in the flood-prone areas to shift to safer locations in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj.

Although both, the Ganga and Yamuna, are still flowing below the danger mark, the water being released from barrages in Kanpur and Mata Tila in Lalitpur has put the district administration on alert. The barrage in Kanpur is built over the Ganga, while the one in Lalitpur is constructed over the Betwa.

The water level in the two rivers has been on the rise since the past five days.

On Monday, the river water started inundating low-lying areas in Phaphamau, Salori, Daraganj and Jhunsi areas. The Ganga water level at Phaphamau increased by 19 cm as compared to Sunday.

At Chhatnag, which is around two kilometres downstream of Sangam, the Ganga has risen by 38 cm and its water level was recorded as 77.08 Mt.

Officials said that the Yamuna water level has been increasing at the rate of 35 cm over the past 24 hours. At Naini, water level of the Yamuna on Monday was 77.80 Mt.

Executive engineer of the flood control unit, Brijesh Kumar Verma, said, "At 4 p.m., the water level of Ganga at Phaphamau was recorded as 79.45 Mt. At Chhatnag, the level was recorded as 77.23 Mt. At Naini, Yamuna's water level was recorded as 77.80 Mt at 4 p.m."

"The huge volume of water discharged into the Ganga from Kanpur barrage and from Betwa in Lalitpur would be reaching the district over the next 24 hours. The water level of both the rivers is expected to increase further," said Verma.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been visiting localities situated near the river banks to review the situation.