Heavy rains bring Varanasi to standstill, multiple areas submerged under water

Varanasi was brought to a standstill on the last Monday of Sawan as torrential rains battered the city, causing widespread waterlogging and disrupting normal life. In just 90 minutes on Monday evening and night, the city recorded over 50 millimeters of rainfall, leaving several neighborhoods submerged under water.

The intense downpour, which came in two successive spells, led to a sharp drop in temperature by nearly 5 degrees Celsius. Multiple areas including Cantt, Sundarpur, Lahartara, Manduadih, Chandpur, Rathyatra, Godowlia, and Jaitpura witnessed severe waterlogging with streets turning into rivers. Jaitpura remained flooded for almost six hours, causing significant hardship to local residents who struggled to commute and carry out daily activities.

The situation was compounded by the swollen Varuna river, which overflowed into residential areas of Salarpur. Rising water levels forced several families to evacuate their homes and move to safer locations as floodwaters entered their neighborhoods. The sudden inundation caught many residents off guard, adding to the chaos caused by the urban flooding.

The meteorological department has forecast continued rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in the coming days, raising concerns about further flooding. Local administration has issued advisories urging residents to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary movement in waterlogged areas. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely as the city grapples with the aftermath of one of the heaviest downpours witnessed during this monsoon season.

The flooding on this religiously significant Monday has also affected devotees who had gathered for Sawan prayers, underscoring the severity of the weather event that has paralyzed one of India's holiest cities.