Ganga nears danger mark in Varanasi, ghats submerged; PM orders swift relief

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Varanasi District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar as the city's flood situation worsened. The fast-rising Ganga has disrupted daily life and submerged Manikarnika Ghat, forcing difficult cremations.Varanasi floods: Ganga swells towards danger mark, Manikarnika Ghat submerged as people struggle (Photos: ITG)The rising waters of the Ganga have thrown life out of gear in Varanasi, with the river level climbing rapidly towards the danger mark and flooding several areas along the ghats. The situation has also disrupted one of the city’s most deeply rooted traditions – the last rites of the dead.The Ganga’s water level has crossed the warning mark and is rising at nearly one centimetre per hour, triggering concern among residents living in areas along the river. As the waters continue to advance, normal life has been affected in several parts of the city.MANIKARNIKA GHAT SUBMERGED, LAST RITES HITThe Manikarnika Ghat has been completely inundated by floodwater, which has now reached the surrounding lanes. With the traditional route to the cremation ground submerged, families bringing bodies for cremation are being forced to rely on boats.Instead of being carried on shoulders, bodies are being transported by boat to the rooftops of buildings at Manikarnika Ghat, where cremations are being conducted. People accompanying funeral processions are also being forced to make their way through knee-deep water, sludge and debris to reach the cremation site. The disruption has not only made the process physically difficult but has also increased the financial burden on grieving families, with expenses reportedly nearly doubling.FAMILIES SEEK CLEAN-UP, EASIER ACCESS TO CREMATION GROUNDThose arriving at the ghat for the last rites have urged the authorities to step up cleaning and make the route to the cremation ground easier. Funeral attendee Abhishek Srivastava, along with several others, has called for proper cleaning of the area and measures to ensure that people can reach the cremation site with less difficulty despite the floodwaters.PM MODI SEEKS UPDATE, ORDERS SWIFT RELIEFAmid the worsening situation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is also the Lok Sabha MP from Varanasi, spoke to District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar over the phone on Thursday and sought a detailed update on the flood situation.PM Modi was briefed on the Ganga’s rising water level as well as arrangements being made at relief camps for affected residents.The Prime Minister directed the district administration to work on a war footing to provide all essential facilities to flood-affected people and ensure they face minimum inconvenience.He also instructed officials to immediately arrange additional relief material wherever required and accelerate relief operations. He stressed the need for continuous monitoring of the flood situation and relief work, while ensuring that affected people receive assistance without delay.The Prime Minister further directed officials to pay special attention to the needs of children, women and elderly people staying at relief camps.- EndsPublished By: Priyanka KumariPublished On: Sep 3, 2026 18:41 IST