Rains swell Chambal river

The Chambal river has risen menacingly following heavy rains, officials and residents said on Friday.

The water level in the river has gone up by almost eight feet, affecting road traffic through the pontoon bridge in Bah region of Agra district.

This has forced vehicles to take a circuitous route involving an extra 100 km via Dholpur or Bhind.

Meanwhile, farmers in Agra who were cultivating water melon, cucumber and other vegetables on the Yamuna river bed have been badly hit as a result of the rising water level.

"The summer crops are almost finished this year. We will see a big rise in prices of green vegetables," said a farmer, Devi Ram.