logo
Ganga, tributaries maroon villages of Varanasi, Ballia

Ganga, tributaries maroon villages of Varanasi, Ballia

Time of India4 days ago
1
2
3
4
5
6
Varanasi: As level of Ganga water neared warning level of 70.26 meters in Varanasi, floodwater started entering localities along the banks of its tributary, Varuna, on Sunday. Over 1,000 people migrated to safe places while administration maintained a vigil in Ganga upstream localities.
In Ballia, villages are getting marooned because of flooding of Ganga's tributary, Tons (Tamsa) river.
The river submerged all ghat steps and their upper platforms, leaving less space for bathing at ghats like Dashaswamedh, where even river police outpost is submerged. As limited space was available for pyres at Manikarnika Ghat, cremations were taking place in the street leading to Harishchandra Ghat and people funeral processions waited for hours to get a vacant site.
Ganga Aarti was performed on top level of the buildings by organisers.
According to the Central Water Commission's daily bulletin, the water level of the Ganga reached 70.14 metres by Sunday afternoon against the warning level of 70.26 meters, while the danger mark is at 71.26 meters. The record of the maximum water level in Varanasi was 73.90 meters in 1978. The trend of increase was maintained at Phaphamau, although the water level of the river became stable at Mirzapur in the upstream after reaching one meter below the warning level of 76.72 metres.
In Ballia, the river was flowing at 60.39 meters against the danger level of 57.61 meters, while in Ghazipur, it reached close to the warning level of 59.12 meters.
The record of the maximum water level was recorded as 60.39 meters in August 2016 in Ballia. In Varanasi, the floodwater affected only Rampur Dhab village of Tehsil Sadar in rural areas, but in city area, the number of localities where floodwaters entered increased from six to eight, including Salarpur, Saraiya, Nakkighat, Dhelwariya, Daniyalpur, and Hukulganj, as well as areas in Badi Bazar and Konia localities along Varuna.
The entry of overflowing Ganga is flooding localities on the banks of Varuna.
According to district administration's report, number of families affected by flood in these localities increased to 317 from 65 as on Saturday. As many as 1,473 persons from these families shifted from low-lying areas on Varuna banks and 672 of them reached flood relief camps, while 801 moved to other areas. By Saturday, seven of 46 flood relief camps were operational, but on Sunday, four more camps were operationalised.
The district administration also intensified distribution of lunch packets, fruits, milk packets and ORS while medical teams treated the ailing persons. Though Ganga was flowing 1 meter above danger mark, problems were created mainly by its tributary, the Tons river, as it started marooning localities mainly in Chitbadagaon municipal area and nearby villages. The overflowing river's water impacted many roads, homes and daily life and routine. The main road connecting the municipal area to villages like Nagwa Gai, Akhtiyarpur, Bibipur, Barhwalia, Tikri and Majurpur is submerged, halting public movement. The renowned religious site Madho Brahma Baba's location is also surrounded by water, completely stopping worship activities there.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Delhi Rains: Yamuna nears warning level as govt moves to control ITO barrage from Haryana
Delhi Rains: Yamuna nears warning level as govt moves to control ITO barrage from Haryana

Mint

time16 hours ago

  • Mint

Delhi Rains: Yamuna nears warning level as govt moves to control ITO barrage from Haryana

The water level of the Yamuna River in Delhi is nearing warning limits due to heavy rainfall. Footage from Loha Pul shows the water at the Delhi Railway Bridge reaching 204.13 metres by 4 pm on Wednesday, just 0.37 metres below the warning threshold of 204.50 metres. To strengthen flood management in the city, the Delhi government will formally request Haryana to transfer control of the ITO barrage on the Yamuna. Officials noted that during the 2023 floods, malfunctioning gates at the barrage significantly contributed to the disaster, ANI reported. Additionally, on Tuesday, the water release from Haryana's Hathnikund Barrage surpassed 50,000 cusecs for the first time this monsoon season, reaching a peak of 54,707 cusecs around 1 am, as reported by the Central Water Commission (CWC). Even lower discharges from upstream are raising the water level, nearing the warning mark in Delhi. On Thursday, the city recorded a minimum temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, which is 2.3 degrees below the seasonal average, according to the weather office. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted generally cloudy skies with moderate rainfall throughout the day. The maximum temperature is expected to reach 30.8 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, the city's air quality was rated satisfactory, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 76 at 9 am, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). An AQI between 51 and 100 falls under the 'satisfactory' category. A committee under the Ministry of Jal Shakti had earlier recommended revising the danger levels at the Delhi Railway Bridge, which were already revised a few years ago. Water released from the barrage typically takes 48 to 50 hours to reach Delhi, with the Old Railway Bridge serving as the primary monitoring point. A water expert criticised the revision recommendation as shifting the goalpost. 'These points relate to siltation and floodplain encroachment, raising the riverbed in Delhi. Instead of repeatedly increasing warning and danger levels, which were already revised in 2019, the government should first conduct a geomorphological study of the river's upper segment,' said Bhim Singh Rawat, an activist and member of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP). Last year, despite heavy rains, Delhi narrowly avoided reaching the warning level, with the Yamuna peaking at 204.38 metres in late September. By contrast, the devastating floods of July 2023 saw record water levels of 208.66 metres and a peak discharge of 3.59 lakh cusecs from Hathnikund. This led to severe flooding in areas such as Mayur Vihar, ITO, Salimgarh bypass, and Civil Lines, displacing thousands of residents. As per the Delhi government's flood control plan, the first official warning is issued only when Hathnikund's discharge exceeds 1 lakh cusecs—a threshold that remains well above current levels. Irrigation and Flood Control department in this year's order said, 'Once that threshold is crossed, sector-level control rooms will activate, boats will be deployed, and vulnerable areas will be placed under surveillance.'

A ticking time bomb in the Himalayas? Govt flags 100 dams at risk of glacial lake outburst floods
A ticking time bomb in the Himalayas? Govt flags 100 dams at risk of glacial lake outburst floods

Time of India

timea day ago

  • Time of India

A ticking time bomb in the Himalayas? Govt flags 100 dams at risk of glacial lake outburst floods

Over 100 dams in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Jammu & Kashmir are vulnerable to sudden flash floods triggered by glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), according to the govt. The warning for the six Himalayan states has been issued by the Central Water Commission (CWC), which comes under Ministry of Jal Shakti, last week. The directive comes amid mounting concerns over rapidly melting glaciers and swelling glacial lakes, largely attributed to climate change. According to recent research, the Indian Himalayas now have over 329 glacial lakes larger than 0.05 sq km—nearly 70% larger in area than in 1990. Many of these are perilously close to critical downstream infrastructure. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Technology others Data Science Healthcare Data Analytics Leadership Degree Cybersecurity Design Thinking Others PGDM Finance Artificial Intelligence Product Management Operations Management Public Policy healthcare Digital Marketing MCA MBA Project Management Management Data Science CXO Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Weeks MIT xPRO CERT-MIT XPRO Building AI Prod India Starts on undefined Get Details India is home to over 6,000 large dams—ranking third globally—and has already experienced the devastating consequences of GLOFs. The 2021 Chamoli disaster in Uttarakhand and the 2023 breach of the Teesta-III dam in Sikkim, after South Lhonak Lake overflowed, are stark reminders of the threat. The CWC has identified avalanches, landslides, and earthquakes as key triggers of GLOF events. To address these, the new guidelines recommend a combination of structural and non-structural safety measures. For new dams, the guidelines require the inclusion of high-capacity spillways, high-speed sluices, and gates that can open rapidly—1.5 to 2 metres per minute—to prevent overtopping during sudden surges. Live Events Existing dams are advised to retrofit mechanical hoists, reinforce piers, and upgrade critical components such as gates, trunnions, and power packs. The use of high-performance concrete and downstream sediment traps has also been recommended. For earthen dams, additional safeguards like parapet walls and reinforced riverbanks are advised. At the source, structural measures like siphoning of lake water, building artificial drainage channels, and installing debris-trapping weirs are encouraged wherever feasible. The Chorabari glacier near Kedarnath—retreating at 7 metres per year between 1976 and 2016—is just one example of emerging threats from shrinking glaciers. Non-structural measures include early warning systems, SCADA-based gate controls, satellite-enabled communication, and comprehensive emergency action plans. In hydropower cascades, upstream reservoirs are expected to maintain lower water levels during monsoon as a buffer against sudden inflows, with downstream operators sharing related costs. The CWC has also urged better coordination with defence agencies for real-time monitoring and rapid response during emergencies.

100 dams in 6 Himalayan states at risk of glacial lake outburst floods
100 dams in 6 Himalayan states at risk of glacial lake outburst floods

Time of India

timea day ago

  • Time of India

100 dams in 6 Himalayan states at risk of glacial lake outburst floods

1 2 Dehradun: Over 100 dams in six Himalayan states are facing a heightened threat of flash floods triggered by glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), prompting the Central Water Commission (CWC), under the ministry of Jal Shakti, to issue new guidelines last week to mitigate these risks and safeguard dam infrastructure. The advisory applies to dams across Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Jammu & Kashmir. CWC director Shiv Kumar Sharma, in a LinkedIn post, said the guidelines followed consultations with stakeholders including National Hydroelectric Power Corporation, Tehri Hydro Development Corporation, Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd, Northeastern Electric Power Corporation, and Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation. The directive came amid growing concerns about glacier melt and swelling glacial lakes due to climate change. Recent studies found over 329 glacial lakes larger than 0.05 sq km in the Indian Himalayas, with a nearly 70% increase in glacial lake area between 1990 and 2020. Many of these lakes are located near vulnerable downstream infrastructure. India, which has over 6,000 large dams — the third-highest globally — has already witnessed disasters linked to GLOFs, including the 2021 Chamoli tragedy and the 2023 Teesta-III dam breach in Sikkim. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo In the Sikkim disaster, South Lhonak Lake breached after heavy rainfall, washing away the dam and causing extensive loss of life and infrastructure. The CWC identified avalanche-triggered breaches, landslides, and seismic activity as potential triggers for sudden GLOF events. To address this, it recommended a mix of structural and non-structural interventions. For new dams, the guidelines mandated spillways capable of handling peak flood loads and debris-heavy surges. These must include high-speed sluice and surface spillways with gates driven by variable-speed motors capable of opening at 1.5 to 2 metres per minute to avoid overtopping. Existing dams were advised to undergo retrofitting of hoists, reinforcement of piers, and added protection for gates, trunnions, and power packs. High-performance concrete and downstream sediment traps were recommended to manage heavy debris flow. Additional protections for earthen dams included parapet walls and reinforced river channels. At the source of GLOFs, the CWC advised structural interventions such as lake siphoning, artificial drainage channels, and debris-trapping weirs wherever possible. Chorabari glacier near Kedarnath, which retreated by 7 metres per year between 1976 and 2016, is one of several rapidly shrinking glaciers creating new lake hazards. Non-structural measures included installation of early warning systems, SCADA-controlled gate operations, satellite-based communication, and preparation of emergency action plans. In cascaded hydropower setups, upstream reservoirs must maintain lower levels during monsoon to buffer possible surges, with cost-sharing between downstream operators. The CWC also urged coordination with defence agencies for real-time surveillance and response to emergencies. Sharma said in a LinkedIn post, "While they fill a critical gap, these guidelines also highlight the need to update existing codal provisions."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store