Flood situation worsens in Varanasi, Prayagraj in UP

The flood situation in Varanasi and Prayagraj worsened on Sunday as the waters of the Ganga, Yamuna, and other rivers entered several localities.

As tomorrow is the last Monday of the holy month of Sravan, devotees thronged the inundated 84 ghats of Kashi to take Ganga jal.

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A report from Varanasi said that in many areas, including Assi, Samneghat, and Maruti Nagar, the water of the Ganga and Varuna rivers has reached the roads. Waters have also entered the sanctum sanctorum of the Sheetla temple and Ratneshwar Mahadev temple.

The Chiraigaon area is the most affected by the floods. Flood water has reached many villages of the Dhab area, including Chittauni, Chandpur, Mustafabad, Babhanpura, and Amba, due to which the agricultural fields were also submerged in water.

Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal said that policemen are patrolling in boats at night to prevent theft and other criminal activities in flood-affected areas.

District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar said that those spreading misleading information related to floods on social media are being closely monitored. The NDRF, Water Police, and specially trained PAC force have been deployed for flood relief and emergency rescue operations.

Bathing, swimming, and boating in the river have been completely banned in all the ghats of Varanasi. The general public has been asked not to take any kind of risk, given the flood situation. Citizens are being alerted by making announcements from time to time through loudspeakers and other means.

District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar on Sunday conducted a surprise inspection of flood-affected areas and relief camps at Saraswati Vidya Mandir Inter College, Hukulganj, Chitrakoot Convent Intermediate College, and Prathmik Vidyalaya, Saraiya. During this, he took stock of the arrangements and gave necessary instructions to the officials.

According to the report of the Central Water Commission, the water level of the Ganga River reached 71.56 meters on Sunday morning in Varanasi, which is above the danger mark of 71.26 meters. The water level of the Ganga is increasing at the rate of 3 cms per hour.

Meanwhile, another report from Prayagraj said over 16.15 lakh population in the district is in the grip of flood and the heavy rains for the past couple of days.

Ganga and Yamuna rivers have once again assumed their dangerous form, and a similar situation to the 1978 floods could be witnessed. The water level of both major rivers is constantly flowing above the danger mark, due to which the crisis in the low-lying areas of the city is deepening.

The way Ganga and Yamuna are flowing above the danger mark, the Central Water Commission has also predicted a further rise in the Ganga and Yamuna. People trapped in flood areas are being taken to safe places by the NDRF and the Civil Defence. People are also being sent to flood relief camps.

According to the district administration, at 8 am on Sunday, the water level of Yamuna river was recorded at 85.54 meters, which is 84 cm above the danger mark. The water level of Ganga river was recorded at 85.49 meters (81 cm above danger level) in Phaphamau, 84.81 meters (76 cm above) in Chhatnag, and 85.47 meters (81 cm above) at Bakshi Bandh.

On the other hand, on Sunday, life has been badly affected due to heavy rain in the Prayagraj district. Due to heavy rains since around 4 am, people were forced to remain inside their houses. Due to continuous rain for 5 hours, waterlogging in the city has started.

The roads under the Niranjan bridge were completely blocked due to waterlogging. Similarly, in front of Prayagraj Railway Station, water up to knee height was witnessed. The situation of the old city has gone from bad to worse; localities like Shahganj, Nakhas Kohna, Patthar Gali, Bakshi Bazaar, and Rauza have also been affected by the rains, and in the posh areas, waterlogging was reported at many places like Civil Lines, Tagore Town, Georgetown, Colonelganj, Katra, and Allahpur.

The Weather Department has issued a warning saying that rain is predicted from morning to evening in Prayagraj. An alert has also been issued for lightning. A red alert has also been issued by the district administration.