Ganges river in Varanasi approaching danger level as water rises rapidly

The Ganges river is rising dangerously in Varanasi following heavy rainfall, with water levels crossing 69 meters and climbing rapidly toward the warning mark of 70.262 meters. Authorities fear the river could breach the danger level by Tuesday if the current rate of increase continues at approximately 6 centimeters per hour.

The holy city received around 242 millimeters of rainfall, causing severe waterlogging across several areas. Multiple famous ghats along the riverfront have been completely submerged. The rising waters have disrupted normal movement between ghats, prompting authorities to ban all boat operations, both small and large, as a safety precaution. The iconic Ganga aarti ceremony has been relocated from the traditional ghat steps to higher, safer ground.

Access to the Kashi Vishwanath temple from the river-side entrance has been restricted for devotees. At Manikarnika ghat, the traditional cremation area has been partially submerged, forcing families to use alternative elevated sites for last rites. Officials stress that actual water levels will depend on multiple factors including continued rainfall, upstream water flow, and river discharge patterns.

The Varanasi district administration has placed the city on high alert, particularly monitoring low-lying areas and regions along the Varuna river. Emergency response teams including NDRF and water police have been deployed. Authorities have established 21 flood posts, 61 relief camps, and a round-the-clock disaster control room to handle any crisis.

Officials have appealed to residents to stay away from the river, drains, and waterlogged routes while following official guidelines. Tourists have been advised to postpone non-essential travel and check the latest advisories before visiting Varanasi. If the current trajectory persists with continued rainfall, flood conditions could turn critical by Tuesday.