Varanasi: The flow of the Ganga has gained intense momentum in Kashi, creating alarming conditions across the city. According to a report by the Central Water Commission, the water level of the river has been recorded at approximately 67 meters and continues to rise at a steady pace of 4 centimeters per hour. In view of this escalating situation and the massive influx of pilgrims arriving during the holy month of Sawan, the Varanasi Police Commissionerate has imposed an immediate ban on all boat operations until further orders to ensure public safety.
The rising waters have completely altered the landscape of Kashi's famous ghats and disrupted daily routines. Cremations at Harishchandra Ghat are now restricted to the very end of the premises, while at Manikarnika Ghat, last rites are being performed on rooftops. The iconic daily Ganga Aarti has also been shifted from the riverbanks to building rooftops. With conditions worsening, connectivity among all 84 ghats has been severed, bringing pedestrian movement and regular transit to a complete standstill.
Flood Waters Worsen the Situation
The floodwaters arriving in Kashi from Prayagraj have left the local administration scrambling to manage the situation. Daily Ganga aartis at Dashashwamedh Ghat and Shitla Ghat are being conducted on rooftops, and the venue for the aarti at Assi Ghat has also been changed. Small and large temples situated along the riverbanks have become fully submerged under water.
The snapping of connections between the 84 ghats has brought transit and various scheduled events on the riverfront to a halt. Given the heavy rush of devotees visiting Kashi in Sawan, police have stepped up security measures significantly. Authorities are utilizing drone cameras for continuous aerial monitoring, while water police and NDRF teams are conducting round-the-clock patrol operations along the river.
Tourists and Locals Face Disappointment
The severe flooding has left tourists visiting the major tourism hub of Varanasi deeply disappointed. While some visitors are disheartened at missing the Ganga Aarti, others are upset over the inability to go boating. The current landscape presents a stark view where water extends continuously from Rajghat all the way to Assi Ghat.
The floods are also directly impacting final rites and rituals. At the Harishchandra cremation ground, last rites are currently squeezed into the remaining dry patch. Speaking on the crisis, Domraja Bahadur Chaudhary stated that if the water level rises by just another 2 feet, cremations at the ghat will have to be stopped entirely, forcing families to conduct last rites in narrow alleyways where the municipal corporation has yet to clean up, which will create severe problems ahead. Meanwhile, cremations at Manikarnika Ghat are also being carried out on rooftops instead of the riverbank.
Earlier, it was reported that devotees had flocked in massive numbers to temples across Kashi on the first Monday of Sawan, but the subsequent surge in river levels has now presented fresh administrative challenges.
