Barricades have gone up along the ghats of the Saryu river in Ayodhya, and devotees are being told to stay clear of deep water, after the river's water level climbed 25 centimetres above the warning mark. Heavy rain in the hill regions has sent extra water flowing downstream toward the temple town, prompting the district administration to tighten security and surveillance along the riverfront.
Round-the-clock watch on sensitive ghats
With the water level rising steadily, officials are keeping a 24-hour watch on vulnerable ghats and riverside neighbourhoods. Teams from the water police, the NDRF and the local administration are jointly tracking the situation so that any emergency can be dealt with immediately. The barricading at the ghats is stopping pilgrims from wading into the deeper stretches of the river, and security personnel posted there are repeatedly warning people about the strong current.
Engineer explains why the river is rising
Akash Pratap Singh, a junior engineer with the Central Water Commission, said continuous heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand and other hill areas has increased the flow of water into the Saryu, which is why the level has risen so quickly in Ayodhya. He added that his department is monitoring the water level round the clock and is regularly sharing updated readings with the district administration so that decisions can be taken without delay.
Rescue teams on standby with motorboats
Water police and NDRF personnel are stationed at the ghats with motorboats and other rescue equipment, ready to respond without delay if anything goes wrong. The administration has urged people not to pay attention to rumours and to follow only the instructions issued officially. It says the situation is currently under control, but given the steady rise in the water level, every department concerned has been put on high alert.
Extra caution as Sawan pilgrims throng the ghats
Residents living in low-lying riverside areas have also been advised to stay alert. Large numbers of devotees travel to Ayodhya for a holy dip in the Saryu during the month of Sawan, and the administration has stressed that safety remains its top priority. Pilgrims have been asked not to cross the barricades, to avoid venturing into deep water, and to follow instructions from the police and administration. Through continuous monitoring, officials are trying to ensure that the rising river does not cause any loss of life.
