Ganga swells in Varanasi: Water level hits 69.52 meters, inches toward warning mark
Varanasi, August 30: The water level of the Ganga in Varanasi has begun rising rapidly again, reaching 69.52 meters at the Rajghat gauge of the Central Water Commission at 8 pm on Sunday, climbing at a rate of 4 centimeters per hour and standing just 74 centimeters below the warning point of 70.26 meters, while the danger mark is fixed at 71.26 meters.
Earlier, the water level of Ganga was recorded at 69.26 meters at 2 pm on Sunday. At that time, the water level was rising at a rate of five centimeters per hour. By 2 p.m., Varanasi recorded 14.4 millimeters of rain. Significantly, on August 30th, the Ganges’ water level increased for 17 days and decreased for 11 days. On August 1st, the Ganges’ water level remained stable. Three areas along the Varuna River are affected.
As the water level rises, the flood’s scope is also increasing. According to the District Disaster Management Authority’s Flood Daily Bulletin, the reverse flow of the Ganges has affected three wards/neighborhoods on the banks of the Varuna River: Saraiya, Salarpur, and Nakkhi Ghat.
The floods have displaced 144 people from 31 families so far. The administration has intensified relief and rescue operations, evacuating the affected people to safer locations.
The district administration has activated three relief camps for the affected people. Currently, 75 people are sheltering in relief camps set up at Salarpur Primary School, Saraiya Primary School, and City Girls School, Badi Bazaar. These include 22 men, 24 women, 25 children, two pregnant women, and two elderly people.
The administration has deployed six boats and an NDRF team for relief and rescue operations in the flood-affected areas. So far, 28 flood relief kits, 110 lunch packets, 30 fruit packets, and 25 milk packets have been distributed to the affected people. In addition, ORS and chlorine tablets are also being provided. Currently, no farmers, crops, or agricultural fields have been reported damaged by the floods. However, due to the continuously rising water level of the Ganga, the administration has increased surveillance in the affected areas and put the relief and rescue system on alert.
The water level, rising at a rate of four centimeters per hour, has increased the administration’s concern. If the water level continues to rise at this rate, the flood situation in the lower areas of Varanasi could become more challenging in the coming hours.
