Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Rising Ganga Floods Varanasi Ghats, Shift Cremations to Rooftops
Heavy rain has made the Ganga and other rivers rise in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
In Varanasi, floodwater has reached the lower parts of Manikarnika Ghat.
The ghat has been closed or become difficult to use, so some families are performing cremations on rooftops.
Boat services have also stopped.
Water has entered nearby streets, homes and other areas around the ghats.
Flooding is affecting 13 districts and more than 84,000 people.
In Prayagraj, many students left hostels and families stayed with relatives.
Rivers have also risen in Chitrakoot, Ayodhya and Gonda.
Officials are watching the situation because more rain is expected.
Rising Ganga waters have submerged parts of Manikarnika Ghat, prompting its closure and shifting some cremations to rooftops.
Boat services on the Ganga have been suspended as heavy rain raises water levels around Varanasi’s historic ghats.
Floodwater has entered nearby lanes and residential areas, while parts of Harishchandra Ghat have also been affected.
Flood-like conditions have been reported in 13 eastern Uttar Pradesh districts, affecting more than 84,000 people.
Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, Ayodhya and Gonda are also reporting flooding, displacement, rising rivers or disrupted roads.
- Who
- Families in Varanasi and residents of flood-affected districts in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
- What
- Rising waters have disrupted Varanasi’s ghats, stopped boat services, closed or submerged parts of Manikarnika Ghat, and forced some cremations to rooftops.
- When
- During continuing heavy rainfall; the articles do not provide an exact date.
- Where
- Varanasi, especially the Ganga-side ghats, lanes and nearby residential areas; flooding is also reported in Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, Ayodhya and Gonda.
- Why
- Heavy rain has sharply raised the Ganga and other rivers, inundating low-lying areas and making traditional cremation grounds and roads difficult to access.
- Manikarnika Ghat
- Water reached the lower portion of the ghat, and reports said the cremation area was submerged and the site was closed.
- Alternative cremations
- Some families performed last rites on house rooftops because traditional ghats were inaccessible.
- Boat services
- Boat services on the Ganga in Varanasi were suspended.
- Affected districts
- Officials said 13 districts were facing flood-like conditions.
- People affected
- More than 84,000 people were reportedly affected.
- Prayagraj displacement
- More than 2,000 students reportedly left hostels, while over 7,000 families stayed with relatives.
- Court direction
- The Allahabad High Court directed Prayagraj District Magistrate Manish Verma to drain urban water within 24 to 48 hours.
- Other river levels
- The Mandakini crossed the danger mark in Chitrakoot, while the Saryu rose to a concerning level in Ayodhya.
