NDRF Ramps Up Preparedness Amid Rising Flood Concerns in Varanasi Ghats

NDRF teams are deployed along Varanasi ghats due to potential floods from monsoon rains. Two teams will monitor all ghats, and awareness campaigns are underway. Meanwhile, Mumbai faces severe waterlogging due to incessant rains, with IMD issuing a yellow alert for the city.

In anticipation of potential floods due to monsoon rains, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed teams along the ghats of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. An official confirmed the development on Saturday, emphasizing the team's full preparedness ahead of the monsoon season. Two NDRF teams will keep a vigilant watch over all Varanasi ghats, complemented by an awareness campaign urging people to stay clear of deep waters.

According to the latest Central Water Commission report, while the water level of the Ganga in Varanasi remains stable, residents near the riverbanks are anxious as rainwater from the mountains has begun descending to the plains. NDRF Deputy Inspector General Manoj Kumar Sharma stated that the teams are on high alert and are leveraging social media platforms to run awareness programs and warn people in advance about possible dangers.

The southwest monsoon, which had been subdued in mid-June, picked up momentum towards the end of the month. The Uttar Pradesh government had earlier directed officials to remain vigilant in flood-prone areas after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted heavy rains in July. Concurrently, continuous rains have resulted in severe waterlogging in various parts of Mumbai, causing road closures and traffic diversions. The IMD has issued a yellow alert predicting heavy rainfall in Mumbai for the next two days, as monsoon rains covered the entire country by July 2, six days ahead of schedule.