A slight decline in the water level of the Ganga has been observed in Varanasi after it approached the warning mark, but the overall ground situation along the riverbanks remains severe. All 84 historic ghats in the holy city of Kashi continue to be submerged under water. The sharpest impact of this flood-like scenario has fallen on the local boatmen, known as Ganga putras, who rely entirely on operating boats for their daily bread. With boat operations halted for the past 11 days, thousands of families are facing an acute financial crunch.
Operations Banned, Leaving 40,000 Boatmen in Distress
Gorakhnath Manjhi, a boat operator at Assi Ghat, shared that nearly 40,000 boatmen depend on operating boats across the ghats of Varanasi to sustain their livelihoods. Ever since local authorities restricted river transport, boatmen have been forced to tie their vessels along the flooded riverbanks and guard them round the clock. Daily earnings have completely dried up during this shutdown. Even after 11 consecutive days of closure, there is still no clarity on when conditions will normalize and when boat movement will be permitted again.
Rapid Surge Began on August 14
The sudden surge in the Ganga water level began on August 14 in Varanasi. Driven by intense monsoon runoff from upstream regions, the river water crossed the 64-meter mark in just two days. Observing the rising water levels and strong currents, the Jal Police imposed a complete ban on the movement of all small and large boats starting August 16 until further orders. Since that decision, the entire boatman community has been waiting anxiously for the river to recede.
River Stabilizes at 67.68 Meters Amid Fears of Fresh Rise
According to the Central Water Commission, the water level of the Ganga in Varanasi was recorded at 67.68 meters on the morning of Wednesday, August 26. Official data indicates that the water level has currently stabilized not only in Varanasi but also in neighboring districts like Prayagraj and Mirzapur. However, forecasts suggest that water levels could potentially surge again in the coming days depending on regional weather patterns. Local boatman Rajesh Sahani highlighted that if the ban on boat movement persists for a prolonged period, the economic crisis surrounding boatmen and their families will worsen significantly.
