Varanasi: The continuously rising Ganga crossed the warning level of 70.26 metres in Kashi on Tuesday morning, inundating areas along the ghats and forcing residents of low-lying localities along the Varuna to move to safer places and relief camps. Flooding also disrupted cremations at Manikarnika and Harishchandra ghats, with funeral waits stretching to 6-7 hours as platforms were inundated.Floodwater entered streets along the ghats, increasing difficulties for people arriving for cremations at Manikarnika and Harishchandra ghats. Boats were occasionally being used to take corpses to the steps leading to the upper platform of Manikarnika Ghat, while pyres were being set up on the street leading to Harishchandra Ghat after all platforms were inundated. The wait for people arriving for funerals was increasing to 6-7 hours to get space to set up a pyre for the corpses they brought to these ghats. Daily Ganga Aarti organisers were performing rituals on the roofs of buildings along the Ganga.Localities in 11 wards were hit by the flood, and 190 people, including women and children from 304 families, had been compelled to move to flood relief camps from these areas. Of the 61 flood relief camps and shelter homes, officials had ensured the full operationalisation of 16 camps.As per the Central Water Commission, the water level in the Ganga touched the warning level of 70.26 metres at 6 am on Tuesday. After reaching 70.26 metres, against the danger level of 71.26 metres, the water level became stable. However, before becoming stable, the river had flooded its tributary, the Varuna, and several low-lying localities along it were marooned.Police commissioner Mohit Agrawal and DM Satyendra Kumar boarded an NDRF boat at Namo Ghat to take stock of the flood situation. They moved through the Ganga-Varuna confluence at Adi Keshav Ghat and surveyed areas including Salarpur, Saraiya, Konia, Pul Kohna, Dhelwaria and Sarai Mohana along the Varuna, which had become flood-affected by Tuesday. They reviewed the water level, inundation along the banks and the condition of affected families, and spoke to residents about the facilities being provided.The DM directed all departments to remain on alert, maintain round-the-clock monitoring, keep boats and rescue equipment ready, and shift people immediately whenever required. He said the administration was with citizens in this hour of natural calamity and that no affected person should face avoidable hardship. Agrawal asked police and NDRF teams to maintain constant vigil in riverside areas and respond quickly to emergencies. He appealed to people living near the banks to exercise caution and follow official advisories.Later, both officers visited flood relief camps at Primary School Salarpur in Chiraigaon block and Vidya Vihar Inter College, Salarpur, Rasoolgarh. They inspected arrangements, interacted with displaced families and took note of their needs. Officials were directed to ensure regular food, drinking water, electricity, lighting, toilets, sanitation, healthcare and security at the camps. Special attention was sought for children, women and elderly people.The health department was instructed to conduct routine check-ups and maintain medicine stocks, while the municipal and other departments were asked to keep the premises clean. The DM also ordered the installation of CCTV cameras in relief camps for safety.Authorities said surveillance would continue in vulnerable pockets and evacuation, shelter and medical support would be expanded according to the river trend, with priority given to families already facing waterlogging and disrupted access near the river banks.
