Rising Ganga inundates Varanasi Ghats, threatening livelihoods of hundreds of vendors, boatmen

Around 500 ghat vendors including tea hawkers, lemon tea sellers, Maggi stalls, rosary vendors and balloon sellers, alongside local boatmen are facing mounting economic uncertainty

With the water level of the Ganga River continuously rising in Varanasi, several ghats have been inundated, sparking widespread concern among local vendors and boatmen whose daily earnings have ground to a halt. Around 500 ghat vendors including tea hawkers, lemon tea sellers, Maggi stalls, rosary vendors and balloon sellers, alongside local boatmen are facing mounting economic uncertainty as the floodwaters surge.

According to data from the Central Water Commission, the Ganga’s water level in Varanasi was recorded at 68.96 meters (Rajesh Kumar/HT)

Gopal Ji, who sells rosaries and pooja materials from a wooden cot at Asi Ghat, was forced to shift his makeshift setup to higher ground on Friday as the lower platform went underwater. “I am shifting my shop to a safer location because the platform is underwater and the Ganga’s water level is increasing continuously. I am left with no choice,” he said, hoping for relief over the coming weeks.

Similarly, Vijay, a tea seller at Asi Ghat locally known as ‘Vijay Chaiwala’, has moved his stall into an adjoining lane, carrying his kettle through the alleys to eke out a meager income. “I am left with no choice other than waiting for the Ganga River water level to decrease to normal,” he shared.

The rising river has dealt a severe blow to the local boatmen community as well. Boat operators like Vijay Nishad at Dashashwamedh Ghat and Ajju Sahni at Asi Ghat have had to suspend operations completely and anchor their boats along the flooded banks. “We cannot operate boats in the Ganga River since the water level has increased toward the warning level and is rising continuously. In such a situation, it is simply not safe to run boats,” Ajju Sahni explained.

Compounding the crisis, the swollen Ganga has caused backwater to flow into the Varuna River, sending water surging into surrounding low-lying residential pockets. The rising inundation has disrupted the lives of everyday residents.

“I will shift to a safer location due to water entering my locality and coming right up to the gate,” Verma said, a daily wage worker Santosh Verma, who decided to evacuate on Friday after floodwaters reached his front gate.

To tackle the emerging flood-like situation, district magistrate Satyendra Kumar has instructed administrative officials to maintain round-the-clock monitoring of the water levels and flow of both the Ganga and Varuna rivers, with immediate reporting mandated for any fluctuations.

The district magistrate further directed that all pre-identified relief camps, access routes, lighting, drinking water, sanitation facilities, and rescue infrastructure in potential flood zones be kept fully active and operational, ensuring affected families can be safely relocated without delay.