The water level of the Ganga River in Varanasi rose above the danger level of 71.26 meters on Sunday, flooding all 84 ghats and affecting more than two dozen neighborhoods and over 30 villages in the district.
As a result of the flood, around 6,583 people had to leave their homes and shift to safer places, including flood relief camps and other temporary shelters.
According to the Central Water Commission, the river reached 71.66 meters on Sunday. Due to this, 14 steps of the Ganga Dwar at the Baba Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple were submerged. Water also covered the artistic installations at Namo Ghat. At Assi Ghat, the overflowing river water spilled onto the nearby road and reached close to the gate of the Jagannath Temple. In response to the growing crowd of onlookers, the police installed barricades in the area to maintain safety.
Floodwaters have impacted 32 villages, including Ramchandipur, Rampur Dhab, and Shivdasa, as well as 24 urban localities such as Salarpur, Daniyalpur, and Dashashwamedh Ghat. The flooding has caused damage to farmland as well—1,469 farmers have lost around 327.89 hectares of cultivated land.
Of the 6,583 displaced people, 1,182 are from rural areas and 5,361 from urban zones. To support them, the district administration has set up 20 relief camps.
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The situation has become more critical due to the rising levels of the Varuna River, which surged 12 feet in just seven hours on Saturday. This sharp rise worsened flooding in low-lying parts of the district, putting thousands at risk.
To help those affected, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed eight boats, while the district administration arranged 42 additional boats. These boats are being used to deliver relief kits, ORS sachets, and food to flood-hit families. On Sunday alone, authorities distributed 17,137 food packets.
District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar visited flood-hit areas on Sunday morning. He personally checked the conditions at Saraiya relief camp, where he also gave chocolates to children.
He stated, “Instructions have been issued to operate the relief camps at full capacity and to deploy both male and female constables there.”
He also said that officials were directed to carry out anti-larvae spraying, fogging, and the use of lime in waterlogged zones to prevent disease. Additionally, local authorities have been told to maintain constant communication with affected residents and resolve their issues without delay.
