After receding, the water level of the Ganga has once again begun to rise rapidly. A rise of 1.18 meters was recorded over the past 34 hours, up to 6 PM on Sunday. The rise, which began on Saturday evening, accelerated significantly during the night.
Between 8 AM Saturday and 8 AM Sunday—a 24-hour period—the level rose by 90 cm, reaching 66.16 meters. Subsequently, the rate of increase slowed slightly; over the next 10 hours leading up to 6 PM, it rose by another 28 cm to reach 66.44 meters. Thereafter, the water level continued to rise at a rate of 3 cm per hour. However, the water level remains 3.82 meters below the warning mark (70.26 meters) and 4.82 meters below the danger mark (71.26 meters). Nevertheless, the rapidly rising water has once again heightened concerns among residents living along the riverbanks. People had found some relief as the water receded following last month’s floods, yet boat operations have not yet resumed. The Ganga Aarti is still being performed on the upper terraces of the ghats, while cremations are taking place on the terrace at Manikarnika Ghat and in the lanes near Harishchandra Ghat. The receding water has left behind deposits of silt, mud, and marshy conditions on the ghats. Devotees are currently being prevented from venturing into deep water.
