Boat operations suspended in Varanasi as Ganga level rises

Varanasi district administration has suspended boat operations on the Ganga with immediate effect as the water level rose to 64.70 metres. The Central Water Commission reported the rising trend was continuing and the warning level is 70.262 metres. The Hindistan Times says the measurement was taken on Sunday, while India TV News reports it was recorded on Saturday morning with the level rising at about 6 cm per hour.

ACP Dashashwamedh Dr Atul Anjan Tripathi confirmed the suspension as a safety precaution. NDRF and water police teams have increased patrolling along the ghats. Anoop Singh Bisht, commanding officer of the 11th NDRF (Varanasi), said a medical team with a water ambulance is deployed 24/7 for emergency response. Water Police inspector Sudhir Tripathi appealed to boatmen and passengers to follow safety guidelines and avoid entering deep water. The administration will issue a separate notification when boat operations can resume.