Varanasi: Overflowing Ganga and its tributary Varuna compelled around 3,400 people from almost 740 families to shift to safe places or shelter homes here by Thursday afternoon.Flooded by Ganga its tributary river Varuna had flooded low lying localities of 16 wards in the city area. Ganga marooned 16 villages and around 1,296 members of 256 families shifted to safe places while 2,065 members of 481 families took shelter in relief camps. Number of farmers, whose crops had been submerged, reached 682 in the district.At a time when Ganga was heading to danger mark of 71.26 meters after crossing the mark of warning level and the trend of rise continued on Thursday, police commissioner Mohit Agrawal and district magistrate Satyendra Kumar boarded NDRF boats at Namo Ghat and inspected flood-affected areas along rivers Ganga and Varuna and also reviewed relief operations. They sought updates from officials on waterlogging, movement, rescue work, relief measures and facilities being provided to residents.The inspection covered the Ganga-Varuna confluence at Adi Keshav Ghat, Salarpur, Saraiya, Konia, Pul Kohna, Dhelwaria, Sarai Mohana, and other affected localities. They also visited flood relief camps set up at Navodaya Vidyalaya, Daniyalpur and Chitrakoot Convent Intermediate College and reviewed arrangements, while interacting with displaced families.Officials were directed to ensure all facilities reach affected families on priority and to shift people from vulnerable areas to safe locations and relief camps as required. The district magistrate said the administration’s focus is on safety and quick relief. The police commissioner ordered adequate police deployment in sensitive areas and restricted unnecessary movement in waterlogged zones.
