By Girish Kumar Dubey
Owing to the heavy downpour in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh, there was a significant increase in the water level of river Ganges, which led to disturbance in the religious activities along the banks of the river.
The water has inundated places, which were meant for burning pyres. So, people are facing immense trouble in cremating the dead bodies. People are left with no other option than to burn dead bodies in lanes, thereby cremations are being performed on raised platforms, far away from main cremation ground.
"During monsoons, river water overflows but usually the situation is not so serious. However, this time the water is flowing above the usual mark. Earlier, the water level did not rise so high, but this year it has risen alarmingly. Earlier, the pyres were burnt on the banks but presently, as the banks are submerged in water, they are being burnt on the streets connected to the banks. This is causing problems in carrying out the religious activities and is posing hindrances for the passersby," said Aashutosh Kumar, a local.
Temples on the banks of the river were submerged in water and daily activities, like religious prayers were interrupted.
According to the Central Water Commission (CWC), the reason behind this rise was heavy rainfall in the region, which also resulted in an increase in water level in rivers such as Yamuna, Chambal, Ken and Betwa.
"The increase in the level of the water in the last 5-7 days can be attributed to the rains and to the contribution of waters from Yamuna River, Betwa River, Ken River and Chambal River. We have also received information that 1,00,000 cusecs of water has also been released from Hathni Kund in Haryana. This will result in an increase in the water level in Phaphamau and Allahabad by 6 centimeter and 7 centimeter respectively. So, the water level rise can also be accredited to the water coming from the Hathni Kund in Haryana," said Rajendra Prasad, Executive Engineer, Central Water Commission.
According to the records of CWC, the Ganga River has touched the mark of 67.060 metres in Varanasi, the danger mark being 71.262 metres.
There are possibilities that the river may surge higher and flow inwards the residential areas.
The annual monsoon, vital for South Asia's agricultural dependent economy, wreaked havoc as floods inundate vast swathes of low-lying land.
EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL
Owing to the heavy downpour in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh, there has been a significant increase in the water level of river Ganges, leading to disturbance in the religious activities along the banks of the river.
VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (JULY 04, 2011) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)
1. GUSHING RIVER WATER
2. A DEVOTEE PRAYING ON THE BANK OF THE RIVER
3. TEMPLES ON THE BANK OF THE RIVER SUBMERGED IN WATER
4. A TEMPLE SUBMERGED IN WATER
5. TEMPLES ON THE BANK OF THE RIVER SUBMERGED IN WATER
6. WATER FLOWING
7. A TEMPLE SUBMERGED IN WATER
8. ENTRY GATE OF A TEMPLE SUBMERGED IN WATER
9. PILLARS OF A TEMPLE SUBMERGED IN WATER
10. WATER GUSHING INTO THE HOUSES
11. GUSHING RIVER WATER
12. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) AASHUTOSH KUMAR, A LOCAL, SAYING:
"During monsoons, river water overflows but usually the situation is not so serious. However, this time the water is flowing above the usual mark. Earlier, the water level did not rise so high, but this year it has risen alarmingly. Earlier, the pyres were burnt on the banks but presently, as the banks are submerged in water, they are being burnt on the streets connected to the banks. This is causing problems in carrying out the religious activities and is posing hindrances for the passersby."
13. GATHERING OF PEOPLE
14. A BODY KEPT FOR BURNING
15. PYRES BURNING ON THE ROOF OF A ROOM
16. PEOPLE KEEPING THE BODY IN A PYRE
17. ONLOOKERS WATCHING THE GUSHING WATER
18. A BOARD READING 'CENTRAL WATER COMMISSION'
19. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) RAJENDRA PRASAD, EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, CENTRAL WATER COMMISSION, SAYING:
"The increase in the level of the water in the last 5-7 days can be attributed to the rains and to the contribution of waters from Yamuna River, Betwa River, Ken River and Chambal River. We have also received information that 1,00,000 cusecs of water has also been released from Hathni Kund in Haryana. This will result in an increase in the water level in Phaphamau and Allahabad by 6 centimeter and 7 centimeter respectively. So, the water level rise can also be accredited to the water coming from the Hathni Kund in Haryana."
20. TEMPLES SUBMERGED IN WATER
21. BOATS STATIONED ON THE BANKS OF THE RIVER, NEAR SUBMERGED TEMPLES
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