Ganga inching towards danger level, low-lying areas marooned in Varanasi

VARANASI: As water level of Ganga was increasing sharply towards danger mark after crossing warning level on Saturday morning it started marooning low lying areas on its both banks in upstream.
More alarming situation was on the banks of its tributary river Varuna as swollen Ganga flooded it and people dwelling in dozens of localities of Varuna banks were forced to shift to safer places.

According to Central Water Commissions middle Ganga division offices flood bulletin, the water level of Ganga had already crossed the warning level of 70.26 mt in Varanasi on Saturday morning and at 8 am it was flowing at the mark of 70.36 mt. The water level continued increasing 3 cm per hour and by 5 pm it has crossed the mark of 70.63 mt against the danger mark of 71.26 mt. The highest flood level 73.90 mt had been recorded on September 9, 1978.
Threat of further rise in water level and crossing the danger mark continued as the river had been maintaining trend of rising in upstream from Phaphamau, Prayagraj and Mirzapur, where it was flowing near warning level of 76.72 mt. The river was flowing above danger mark of 63.10 mt in Ghazipur and above two mt of danger mark of 57.61 mt in Ballia.

At Ganga upstream in Varanasi the increasing water level has started causing panic among the people living in low lying areas like at Maruti Nagar, Shivaji Nagar, Gayatri Nagar and Maderwa of Samneghat and Nagwa areas since Friday night. And, by Saturday morning it started entering the areas like Gayatri Nagar and also in Ramnagar township on the opposite bank. One local native Rajkumar Singh said that after a gap of a year the flood water had started entering this area and also made commuting impossible since late night.
Busy in taking stock of the flood outposts and relief camps operationalised since morning the district magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma said that around 30 families had been affected in the low lying areas along Ganga on its both banks in Samneghat and Ramnagar.
But, major effect of entering of flood water in low lying areas on both banks of river Varuna had impacted lives of about 20,000 population and hundreds of families have shifted to safer places, said DM.
Major problem was being faced by the natives having their houses in catchment areas of river Varuna. Official said that over 200-300 families have been affected by marooning of their localities including Saraimohana, Puranapul, Pulkohna, Sidhvaghat, Teenpulva and Nakkhighabut but most of these families have taken shelter at upper floors. Only few families have left their homes for safe places so far.
DM said that five shelter homes with community kitchen facility have been made operational and dry ration is being distributed to those, who have taken shelter along roads and other areas. A total of 16 boats have been introduced for relief operations in the urban belts, he said adding, in rural areas three boats have been engaged for relief works at Darahra and adjoining villages near Ghazipur border and sharp vigil is kept on Dhab, where two villages were affected due to increased water level. As further rise in water level of Ganga is expected in coming days all preparations are being made accordingly, he added.
Steps of the scenic ghats including Assi, Dashaswamedh, where Sheetla temple had been submerged completely and water had entered river police outpost. Harishchandra, Ravidas and Chowki Ghats have become inundated and water of Ganga had started coming on road. Due to it the power supply at the ghats had been stopped on Tuesday night, cremations are taking place at upper platforms at Manikarnika Ghat or on the road approaching to Harishchandra Ghat.