Boat services temporarily suspended in Varanasi as water level rises in Ganga

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) [India], September 15 (ANI): Amid the heavy rains in Varanasi, boat services have been temporarily suspended due to a rise in the level of the Ganga River.

Due to the rise in the water, local boatmen have been facing several challenges as their only source of income has stopped.

“Our work has been stopped, Boatmen are sitting at their homes. Arti is also happening on the roof at the ghats. We are facing problems,” local boatmen said.

Another boatman, Mritunjay Kumar said that the water level has been increasing rapidly from yesterday.

“Boatmen are stuck, food and work is stuck. We want Maa Ganga’s blessing that the water level will go down,” he said.

Earlier on September 13, Prayagraj recorded 0.3 mm of actual (average) rainfall.

As the river has inundated, the Arti sites at the Ghats have taken upper platforms. The heavy deluge has caused the Sangam ghat to submerge impacting bathing activities. The rising levels of water have started to flood lower areas, including the vicinity of Hanuman mandir on the Sangam ghat compelling shopkeepers to move further inland.

Currently, 11 districts in the state are affected by floods. So far, 17 people have died due to floods, as per information by the office of the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

As per the UP chief minister’s office in a post on X, “Relief money of Rs 4 lakh each has been provided to the families of the deceased. So far, relief money has been provided to 30 affected people in connection with the loss of 30 animals. 3,056 houses have been damaged. Relief assistance has been distributed in connection.”

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has given instructions to deploy NDRF, SDRF and PAC teams as per requirements in the flood-affected areas.

Meanwhile, Manish Vishwakarma, an employee of Prayagraj Vikas Bhava who was on a pilgrimage to Prayagraj said, “This is my fourth visit to Prayagraj, and the second time that water has come near Hanuman Ji. I felt very good after seeing Hanuman Ji.”

Boatman Shiva Kumar Nishad added, “The condition of Prayagraj at this time is unexpected. For the third time, the water has risen significantly. This whole area was dry, but due to the heavy rains, it has filled up so much. All the boatmen are facing problems, and there are concerns about how people will manage.”