Varanasi: Alarm bells have started ringing in Varanasi with the threat of flood looming large as the Ganga river continued to rise rapidly.
All 84 ghats have been inundated, and there is waterlogging in several low-lying areas of India’s ‘spiritual capital’.
Amid heavy rainfall, water has entered the River Police Commissionerate office.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel, Water Police and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) have been kept on standby for emergency operations.
The river was flowing at around 69.40 metres, with the warning level at 70.262 metres and danger mark at 71.26 metres.
According to authorities, water level in the Ganga has been rising at nearly 4 cm per hour, prompting a suspension of boat operations as a precautionary measure.
Several iconic landmarks along the ghats have been submerged, with the iconic ‘Namaste’ statue at Namo Ghat almost completely under water.
#WATCH | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: Due to heavy rainfall, the water level of the Ganga river is continuously rising. pic.twitter.com/yWOcmWEEez
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) August 31, 2026
The district administration is on red alert, and has stepped up preparations to tackle a worsening situation which includes flooding in the city.
Sixty-one flood relief camps have been identified across Varanasi, with arrangements being made for shelter, food, drinking water, sanitation, lighting and medical assistance.
Twenty-one flood posts have been established to monitor water levels and conditions in flood-prone areas, while 198 boats have been arranged for relief and rescue operations.