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In Varanasi, 84 ghats were disconnected due to rising water level in Ganga river
Sandy Verma | August 19, 2026 10:24 AM CST

In Kashi, the flow of water in the river Ganga has accelerated. According to the Central Water Commission report, the water level is around 67 meters. The water level is rising at the rate of 4 cm. In view of the expected rush of lakhs of devotees during the month of Shravan, the Varanasi Police Commissioner has suspended boat operations till further notice for safety reasons.

At Harishchandra Ghat, cremations are being performed at the last point of the ghat, while at Manikarnika Ghat, mass cremations are being performed on the roof. The Ganga Aarti performed on the ghat of Kashi is now being performed on the roof instead of the ghat. The situation is such that the communication between 84 ghats has been disrupted, resulting in traffic jam.

After reaching Kashi from Prayagraj, the situation has become uncontrollable. At Dashashwamegh Ghat and Sheetla Ghat in Kashi, daily Ganga Aarti is being performed on rooftops, while the location of Aarti at Assi Ghat has been changed. Small and big temples on the banks of the ghat have been submerged.

Connectivity between 84 ghats has been disrupted, causing traffic and other events at the ghats to come to a standstill. Due to the rush of lakhs of devotees to Kashi during the month of Shravan, boat operations have been suspended for safety reasons. The police have stepped up surveillance with drone cameras to monitor the floods, while the water police and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are patrolling continuously.

Due to the flood situation, tourists in major tourist destination Varanasi are disappointed with the boat operations and the resulting flood situation. Some are saddened by the lack of Ganga Aarti, while some are unhappy at not being able to go boating. The situation is such that from Rajghat to Assi Ghat, there is nothing but water.

The direct impact of flood has also started on the burial grounds. At the Harishchandra crematorium ghat, the remains are being cremated. Domraja Bahadur Chaudhary of the ghat said that at the rate the Ganga river is rising, if the water level rises by just 2 feet, cremation at the ghat will stop and cremation will have to be done on the streets, which the municipal corporation has not even cleaned, causing more problems. At Manikarnika Ghat, cremation is being done on the roof instead of the ghat.


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