Incessant rains push river Ganga above warning mark in Varanasi
Varanasi, September 01: Amidst incessant rains in the religious city of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, the water level of river Ganga is rising rapidly. On Tuesday, the Ganga crossed the warning mark, which has increased the concern of the people living in the coastal areas.
According to the Central Water Commission (CWC), the water level of Ganga was recorded at 70.28 meters at the gauge site at Rajghat at 10 am on Tuesday, whereas the warning mark is 70.262 meters. At 12 noon, the water level rose to 70.29 meters. The water level of Ganga is rising at a speed of about half a centimeter per hour. The danger mark in Varanasi is 71,262 meters, while the highest recorded flood level is 73,901 meters. The Ganges’ water level was recorded at 70.27 meters at 8 a.m. on Tuesday.
Continuous rain has submerged the city’s roads and streets. By 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Varanasi recorded 33.6 mm of rain. August also saw the highest rainfall in the district in 35 years. Normally, August receives 245.1 mm of rain, while this year 448 mm of rain was recorded, which is 82 percent more than normal. Last year, August saw 412 mm of rain.
The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert, predicting cloudy skies and continued rain for the next 48 hours. This raises the possibility of a further rise in the Ganges’ water level.
The effects of the rising water level are now clearly visible on the coastal roads and ghats. Floodwaters have reached the Nagwa road from Assi Ghat and the road from Assi to the Jagannath Temple. The lane leading to Manikarnika Ghat has also been submerged. People are having to use boats to reach the upper platform for cremation.
At Harishchandra Ghat, cremations are also taking place in the lanes. Meanwhile, with the rising water level of the Ganga, the tributary river Varuna is also in spate. Floodwaters have begun reaching the Varuna’s coastal areas. Affected people are evacuating to nearby higher elevations and flood relief camps.
According to the District Disaster Management’s flood bulletin, 12 neighborhoods and wards in the district are affected by the floods. The administration has set up 13 active flood relief camps. So far, more than 139 flood-affected families have taken shelter in the relief camps. The administration and disaster management teams are continuously monitoring the situation.
