Varanasi: Following a pause of few hours, water level in Ganga rose again in Varanasi, crossing the warning level of 70.26 meter on Tuesday, even as it ravaged areas on its banks in Ballia and Ghazipur.Due to incessant rain in southern part of east UP, most dams on Ganga’s tributaries began overflowing in Sonbhadra and Chandauli and alert warnings were issued in the catchment areas.According to Central Water Commission, Ganga is flowing at 59.41 metres—almost 2 metres above danger mark of 57.61 metres—in Ballia. In Ghazipur, Ganga crossed 63.1 metres danger mark, flowing at 63.35 metre. In Varanasi, Ganga level was measured at 70.38 metres, slightly above warning level of 70.26 metres.Ballia district magistrate Mangla Prasad Singh said agricultural fields were marooned and villagers near Ganga bank were being shifted to safe places. As the trend of further rise continued, district administration monitored the situation closely.In 29 flood affected wards and villages in Varanasi, 16 camps are operational. Overall, 624 families, or 2,841 people, were displaced; 395 families, comprising 1,728 people, are in camps, while others have shifted to homes of relatives, neighbours or safer places. Crops of 207 farmers over 53.516 hectares are affected.ADM (finance and revenue) Sadanand Gupta said all 61 flood relief camps and 21 flood posts are operating round the clock. Officials are monitoring relief camps to ensure proper availability of food, drinking water, electricity, lighting, toilets, sanitation, healthcare and security. Milk and fruits for children, medical support for pregnant and elderly and meals and essentials for all are being supplied.In Ghazipur, police and district administration prepared for flooding in low-lying villages of five tehsils and activated 152 flood posts, 46 shelters and 229 boats, deploying PAC teams and ensuring relief kits and cooked food at shelters, beside evacuation and assistance.In Chandauli, officials kept vigil at Chandraprabha dam is about 1 foot below maintained level of 771 feet. Officials kept alerting residents in downstream to stay ready to shift in case releasing water from the dam is required. After release, water of Chandraprabha passes through Muzaffarpur weir.Sonbhadra also monitored the dams closely while fishermen’s boats were banned in Kanhar river at Bhisur village due to flow and risk. In Belwaniya village of Ghorawal area, heavy inflow from a hilly slope spread over nearly 200 to 250 bighas breached an earthen embankment on Tuesday, causing water to flow along the village edge and creating waterlogging. As the level rose, water entered the homes of 11 families.Sonbhadra district magistrate Charchit Gaur asked joint teams of district administration and police to carry out relief and rescue operations. The affected families were evacuated safely and shifted to the nearby panchayat building, where food and essential facilities were arranged. In Chopan, barricading was installed at Son river Chhath ghat under strong flow. Citizens were advised not to approach riverbanks or cross barricades.
