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Ganga rise submerges stairs, Ganga Arti shifted to higher ground
Platforms of most ghats are inundated and interconnectivity between one ghat and another has been disrupted.
The Ganga Arti platform at Dashashwamedh Ghat on Saturday submerged with the Ganga water continuing to rise, forcing organisers to shift the Arti to a 10 feet higher location at the ghat.
Platforms of most ghats are inundated and interconnectivity between one ghat and another has been disrupted.
According to the Central Water Commission, the Ganga was flowing at 63.9 m in Varanasi where the warning level is 70.262 m and danger level is 71.262 m. The rising trend is continuing at 20 mm per hour.
Sushant Mishra, president of Ganga Seva Nidhi which organises Ganga Arti daily at Dashashwamedh Ghat, said, “The Arti platform is submerged as Ganga water level is on the rise. The Arti has been shifted to a higher location at the Ghat on Saturday.”
Water police inspector Sudhir Tripathi said that vigil has been increased at the ghats in view of the rising water.
In view of the likely flood situation in the district, district magistrate Satyendra Kumar on Saturday issued instructions to ensure swift and effective action after assessing ground-level preparedness and current conditions. Starting from Namo Ghat, he inspected the water level and riverside areas of the Ganga using an NDRF boat.
He then proceeded from Adi Keshav Ghat—the confluence of the Ganga and Varuna—to inspect various riverside and potential flood-prone areas, including Salarpur, Saraiya, Konia, Pul Kohna, Dhelvaria, and Sarai Mohana, by boat.
After gathering area-specific information from the concerned officials, he instructed officials to keep pre-identified flood relief camps, access routes, essential resources, and arrangements for relief and rescue operations in flood-prone areas fully active and functional, ensuring that affected families can be moved to safe locations without delay if the need arises.
Additionally, instructions were issued to maintain effective coordination with the NDRF and other relevant rescue teams to ensure a rapid response in any emergency situation.
The district magistrate specifically appealed to families residing along the banks of the Ganga and Varuna rivers to remain alert to changes in water levels and to strictly adhere to the warnings and guidelines issued by the administration and relevant departments.
He specifically directed the Tehsildar (Sadar) to conduct a door-to-door public awareness and vigilance campaign among families living along the banks of the Varuna River.
