Heavy Rains in Varanasi and Prayagraj Cause Floods, Affect Boat Services and Local Life
Amid heavy rains in Varanasi, boat services have been temporarily suspended due to a rise in the Ganga River’s water level. Local boatmen are facing challenges as their only source of income has stopped. One boatman said, ‘Our work has been stopped, Boatmen are sitting at their homes. Arti is also happening on the roof at the ghats. We are facing problems.’
Another boatman, Mritunjay Kumar, mentioned that the water level has been increasing rapidly. ‘Boatmen are stuck, food and work is stuck. We want Maa Ganga’s blessing that the water level will go down,’ he said.
Earlier on September 13, Prayagraj recorded 0.3 mm of rainfall. The rising water has caused the Sangam ghat to submerge, impacting bathing activities. The flood has also affected the vicinity of Hanuman mandir, forcing shopkeepers to move inland. Currently, 11 districts in Uttar Pradesh are affected by floods, and 17 people have died.
The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s office stated that relief money of Rs 4 lakh each has been provided to the families of the deceased. Relief assistance has also been distributed to those who lost animals and homes. The Chief Minister has instructed the deployment of NDRF, SDRF, and PAC teams in the flood-affected areas.
Manish Vishwakarma, a pilgrim in Prayagraj, said, ‘This is my fourth visit to Prayagraj, and the second time that water has come near Hanuman Ji. I felt very good after seeing Hanuman Ji.’ Boatman Shiva Kumar Nishad added, ‘The condition of Prayagraj at this time is unexpected. For the third time, the water has risen significantly. All the boatmen are facing problems, and there are concerns about how people will manage.’
Doubts Revealed
Varanasi -: Varanasi is a city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the oldest cities in the world and is famous for its temples and the Ganga River.
Prayagraj -: Prayagraj, also known as Allahabad, is another city in Uttar Pradesh. It is known for the Kumbh Mela, a major Hindu festival held every 12 years.
Ganga River -: The Ganga River is one of the longest and most important rivers in India. It is considered sacred by Hindus and flows through several states, including Uttar Pradesh.
Boat services -: Boat services refer to the use of boats to transport people or goods across water. In Varanasi and Prayagraj, boats are often used for religious ceremonies and tourism.
Uttar Pradesh government -: The Uttar Pradesh government is the governing body of the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. It is responsible for making decisions and providing services to the people of the state.
Relief money -: Relief money is financial aid given by the government to help people who are affected by disasters like floods. It helps them buy food, clothes, and other necessities.
Rescue teams -: Rescue teams are groups of people trained to help others during emergencies like floods. They save people from dangerous situations and provide medical help.
Religious activities -: Religious activities are practices and rituals performed as part of a religion. In Varanasi and Prayagraj, these often involve ceremonies by the Ganga River.
Local businesses -: Local businesses are small shops and services run by people in the community. They can include things like grocery stores, clothing shops, and restaurants.
