Varanasi: The water level of the Ganga in Varanasi has begun receding at a rate of 2 cm per hour, bringing cautious relief to residents. According to the Central Water Commission, the river was flowing 1.59 metres below the warning mark on Monday.Local authorities are continuing to monitor the situation and have advised people living in low-lying areas to remain alert until the river returns to a safer level. Movement near slippery steps, submerged platforms and vulnerable stretches of the riverbank remains restricted in some areas as a precaution.At the ghats, cleaning and assessment work is expected to gather pace once the water recedes further. Civic teams are likely to inspect silt deposits, damaged steps and temporary structures affected by the swollen river. Boat operations may also remain regulated depending on current conditions, visibility and safety.Residents along the river said the receding trend has eased immediate anxiety, though many remain watchful because water levels can change quickly with rainfall in upstream regions. Officials are tracking updates from monitoring stations and coordinating with departments responsible for flood control, sanitation and emergency response.The administration has urged people not to venture into the river unnecessarily and to follow safety advisories issued at the ghats. While the decline is a positive sign, officials said vigilance will continue until the Ganga shows a sustained downward trend and normal activity can safely resume across the riverfront in the coming days, weather conditions permitting.
