During the current rainy season, continuous downpours have triggered a steady rise in the water level of the Gomti River flowing right through Sultanpur, causing water to spill over several ghats along the city. These riverside spots usually attract large gatherings of devotees, but the rising waters mean that anyone visiting the banks of the river now needs to exercise caution. The swelling river has drawn the attention of both local residents and authorities as conditions near the waterfront shift rapidly.
Sitakund Ghat Faces Inundation
Continuous heavy rainfall over four to five days recently drove the Gomti River water level significantly higher, resulting in Sitakund Ghat becoming completely submerged. Although the water level stabilized just before reaching the 84.73-meter mark recorded previously, that specific level is already enough to submerge the Sitakund Ghat entirely. At present, the location serves as a visible warning sign of high water. Municipal Executive Officer Lalchand Saroj stated that the administration will step up safety arrangements at the site.
Boatmen Lacking Safety Kits
A ground inspection revealed that boatmen operating in the Gomti River near Sitakund Ghat lack any form of safety kits or life jackets. According to local resident Abhishek Kumar, even when the administration provides safety kits, the boatmen do not keep them on hand, and authorities have failed to monitor the lapse. This situation acts as an invitation to potential accidents while the administration remains silent on the matter.
Decline in Devotees and Impact on Sports
Local resident Raj Mishra mentioned during a conversation that waterlogging at Sitakund Ghat has led to a steady drop in the number of visiting devotees. Additionally, water flooding the kabaddi ground built right at the ghat has caused major difficulties for local kabaddi players. This disruption not only affects their practice sessions but has also left the training ground completely damaged. Local residents are demanding that the administration install barricades at Sitakund Ghat keeping safety in mind, along with the deployment of water police. Tejas Pandey, another resident of Sitakund, also emphasized that better safety arrangements must be put in place.
