A relentless surge in the Ganga and Varuna rivers has plunged Varanasi into a severe flood crisis, submerging the city’s iconic ghats and forcing residents to adapt to extraordinary circumstances. As of August 29, 2025, the Central Water Commission reported the Ganga’s water level at 71 meters, surpassing the warning mark of 70.262 meters and dangerously close to the city’s critical threshold of 71.262 meters. The flooding has disrupted daily life, inundated homes, and transformed sacred rituals, with cremations now taking place on rooftops and in narrow alleys.

Varanasi’s famed ghats, including Manikarnika and Harishchandra, are completely underwater, compelling priests and families to perform last rites on elevated platforms and nearby rooftops. The revered Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, a spiritual hallmark of the city, has been relocated to a symbolic performance on a nearby roof, underscoring the severity of the situation. Low-lying areas such as Ramana, Samne Ghat, Nagwa, Konia, and Hukulganj are grappling with floodwaters that have invaded homes, leaving residents stranded.

Ramesh Singh, a resident of Sangampuri in Nagwa, described the dire conditions, noting that he has been confined to the second floor of his home for two days as the ground floor remains flooded. “Relatives are bringing food, but the mosquito menace is unbearable,” Singh said, highlighting the challenges of repeated flooding after residents had just recovered from a previous deluge. He added that children in the neighborhood are wading through water to attend school, as boats cannot navigate the narrow, flooded alleys.

Also Read: Guwahati Flooded After Heavy Rains, Thousands Stranded

The agricultural toll has been significant, with farmers like Sampurnanand from Ramana reporting the destruction of newly sown crops such as beans and eggplants. Sub-Divisional Magistrate Shantanu Kumar Sinswar confirmed the damage to crops in some areas but assured that flood relief centers are operational, equipped with medicines, supplies, and medical teams. “All preparations are in place for those who need to return to relief centers,” Sinswar stated, emphasizing the administration’s readiness to manage the crisis.

In nearby Ballia, the situation is equally grim, with the Ganga and Saryu rivers breaching their danger marks by nearly two meters and 80 centimeters, respectively. The Mahavir Ghat at the district headquarters is submerged, forcing cremations onto roads near the under-construction Greenfield Expressway. District Magistrate Mangala Prasad Singh reported that floodwaters have reached village outskirts along the riverbanks, but monitoring teams are working to prevent loss of life or livestock. “The situation is under control, and we are focused on safety,” Singh said.

As Varanasi and Ballia battle the rising waters, the resilience of residents and the administration’s response are being tested. The floods have not only disrupted daily life but also challenged the spiritual and cultural fabric of these cities, with authorities urging vigilance to mitigate further impacts.

Also Read: Kartarpur Flooded! 100+ Trapped in Cross-Border Crisis