The monsoon surge in Uttar Pradesh has brought the holy city of Varanasi to the edge, as the River Ganga on Wednesday rose above the danger mark, inundating temples and swallowing the city’s famed ghats one by one.
Residents watched helplessly as the steps of the riverfront vanished underwater, with some describing the rise as a daily ritual of retreat. “Water level is rising by one step each day. There were 84 ghats here, and after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the Namo Ghat, there are now 85 ghats here. We are in contact with all the ghats, while some roads are blocked. This happens annually, whenever it rains, it causes difficulty for public as they get stuck,” said Sonu Sahani, a local resident.
Lakhan Kumar Sahani, another local, echoed the concern. “The water is rising one or two steps daily. There is difficulty in watching Ganga Aarti and operating boats,” he said.
One of the worst affected spots is Manikarnika Ghat, which was reported to be completely submerged on Tuesday. A temple nearby also went underwater, further complicating the situation for pilgrims and residents. Further downstream, Ram Ghat in Prayagraj has also been flooded, as the Ganga continues to swell under the pressure of persistent rainfall.
Also read: Rising Ganga, Yamuna threaten floods in Prayagraj, Rishikesh
“The water level in the river has risen, and this situation will remain for the next two months. This happens every year,” a resident added, underscoring the repetitive nature of monsoon floods in the region.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued heavy rainfall for West Uttar Pradesh between 8 and 11 July. A press release by the IMD stated that isolated areas have recorded heavy to very heavy rainfall, ranging between 7 to 20 cm, particularly in West Uttar Pradesh.
The same bulletin has predicted further rain over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad during July 8–14, East Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh on July 9–10, and various parts of Rajasthan over the next few days.
Temples around the ghats remain inundated, disrupting daily rituals, while streets leading to the river have been cut off in parts. Boat operators have been forced to suspend services as water currents increase, and the Ganga Aarti—a daily spiritual event drawing locals and tourists alike—now faces mounting logistical challenges.
Despite the hardship, the people of Varanasi appear resigned to the annual inundation, viewing it as both a danger and an inevitability of the monsoon season. However, with rain continuing and further rise in water levels expected, the civic administration faces a critical test in managing flood control and maintaining access to essential services.
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