As torrential rains and rising river levels submerge parts of Uttar Pradesh, Prayagraj—cradled by the sacred Ganga and Yamuna rivers on three sides—finds itself in a dire humanitarian and civic crisis. The water levels of both rivers have risen alarmingly, crossing danger marks and breaching embankments, swallowing entire neighbourhoods in their path.
By Saturday evening, the Yamuna’s water level in Prayagraj’s Naini area had surged close to 85 meters, surpassing the danger mark of 84.73 meters. Simultaneously, the Ganga was recorded at 84.68 meters—just below its danger level of 84.70 meters—leaving the city teetering on the edge. As a result, at least 59 localities under Sadar Tehsil have been directly hit by this deluge, displacing nearly 6,000 people, now huddled in temporary relief camps set up by the administration.
But amid the chaos, a strikingly surreal moment caught the internet’s attention. A video posted by a police officer, Chandradeep Nishad, has gone viral. In it, the officer—waist-deep in floodwater inside his own home—can be seen performing a ritualistic prayer to what he calls the divine presence of Mother Ganga. Chanting “Jai Ganga Maiya” and swimming through the stagnant waters, Nishad captioned the video:
“Mother Ganga arrived at our house while leaving for duty this morning. Got blessings by worshiping Maa Ganga at my doorstep. Hail Mother Ganga.”
While many lauded his devotion and spirit in adversity, others saw his post as a reflection of state negligence—where devotion becomes the only recourse amid civic collapse. As netizens debated between faith and failure, the real story lay submerged—literally—in the city’s flooded lanes.
A Crisis Decades in the Making
The tragedy unfolding in Prayagraj is not solely a result of nature’s fury. It is, in many ways, a man-made disaster rooted in years of administrative negligence and unregulated construction. For decades, residents have been building homes dangerously close to the Ganga and Yamuna, especially within catchment areas—zones designed to buffer river overflows.
These low-lying tracts are meant to act as natural floodplains, absorbing excess monsoon water. Instead, they’ve been turned into concrete clusters, vulnerable to every swelling surge.
What’s worse is that these constructions continued under the nose of the Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA), which largely turned a blind eye to these illegal encroachments. Violating every principle of urban planning and environmental sustainability, homes sprang up, often without proper drainage, sewage systems, or elevation clearances.
In 2022, the Allahabad High Court issued a clear directive: no construction would be permitted within 500 metres of the river embankments. Yet, in 2025, the reality is starkly different. Even now—despite court orders, despite recurring floods—construction continues. Bricks are laid, roofs are raised, and new families move in, unaware or dismissive of the peril they build upon.
People Pay the Price—Again and Again
As the waters rise each year, so does the toll. Property damage runs into crores. Families lose homes, livestock, documents, and any semblance of security. In places like Salori, Daraganj, Chhota Baghara, and other flood-prone zones, entire colonies go underwater. Relief camps, often poorly resourced, become temporary lifelines.
Some turn to faith, like Officer Nishad. Others resort to frustration or sarcasm, as seen in viral social media comments:
“If your devotion is so strong, may Mother Ganga always bless your home like this,” one user quipped.
Another added:
“This isn’t divine intervention; it’s the result of deliberate ignorance—by both the government and the people.”