Lucknow / Varanasi / Prayagraj, August 3, 2025 —
Varanasi Floods
Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the Samajwadi Party and a former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, attacked the Yogi Adityanath administration harshly during worsening floods in Varanasi and Prayagraj. Calling out alleged corruption and lack of preparedness, Akhilesh questioned, “After Rs 20,000 crore spent in Prayagraj, what did locals receive apart from waist-deep waterlogging?Where did the BJP members and their boats go?
Floods Inundate Religious & Urban Centres
The Ganga River in Varanasi has surged close to the danger mark of 71.26 m, reaching 70.87 m early Saturday, rising at 3 cm/hour. Major cultural relics and cremations have been disrupted by the backflow of the Varuna tributary, which has flooded 18 areas, including Manikarnika and Harishchandra ghats. Over 400 families across 15 villages and 10 urban areas are displaced, and tens of thousands await rescue in temporary relief camps The Times of India.
In Prayagraj, uncontrolled rainfall and swollen Yamuna waters have led to knee-deep flooding in Karela Bagh and other low-lying neighborhoods. Residential blocks, shops, and roads are submerged; boats have become essential for even short trips .
Akhilesh Yadav’s Accusations: Corruption, Inaction & PR Gimmicks
Akhilesh harshly criticized the BJP for turning governance into a “floating development” parade. He argues that smart city budgets—like the alleged Rs 20,000 crore spent in Prayagraj—have instead funded corrupt schemes, leaving citizens vulnerable to monsoon crises.
His X post underscored the irony in marketing slogans now replaced by literal floating streets. “Where are the members of the BJP who destroyed smart cities before going missing with their boats?” he asked.
Further, Akhilesh accused the state of failing to mobilize rescue operations or provide basic services—claiming the government prioritized its political image over public safety.
Official Response & Relief Efforts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, representing Varanasi, flew to the city and chaired a high-level review of the flood situation.He questioned local officials about food delivery, disaster camps, and necessities like milk and bananas.He directed officials to support displaced families fully news.google.com+4The Statesman+4Telegraph India+4Telegraph India+1The Times of India+1.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and state ministers conducted aerial and ground assessments in Varanasi, Prayagraj, Ballia, Mirzapur, and other affected regions. The Relief Commissioner reported assistance to over 84,392 people across 402 villages in 17 districts, and ration kits reaching tens of thousands .
The India Meteorological Department has issued orange alerts for 55 UP districts, and heavy rainfall is forecasted to continue for the next 24–48 hours. Rivers such as Ganga, Yamuna, Gomti, and others are above or close to danger marks, prompting road and underpass closures Telegraph India.
Varanasi Floods
Desk-Based Insight from 5 Years of Reporting
Having analyzed governance trends in UP for the past five years, my desk-based review highlights a persistent gap between budgeted schemes and ground reality. Flood-sensitive zones like Varanasi historically require infrastructure like efficient drainage, embankment fortification, and emergency readiness—none of which appear to be functioning adequately.
Akhilesh’s symbolic question about “boats” suggests cynicism: promises made during elections have literally floated away. The lack of early warnings, ineffective evacuation, and insufficient local coordination underscore systemic failure. Despite high-profile visits and welfare schemes, flood victims appear to have been left to fend for themselves.
What’s Impacting Varanasi & Prayagraj?
| Issue | Situation |
|---|---|
| Flooded Ghats | 84 ghats submerged; cremation operations disrupted |
| Sales & Services Halted | Markets and banks closed; city traffic stalled |
| Displacement Scale | Over 400 families evacuated; thousands in relief camps |
| Predicted Rainfall | Continued heavy precipitation over next 2 days |
| Political Backlash | Akhilesh attacking BJP over inaction and corruption |
Farmer & Livelihood Impact
Farmers in the flood-affected districts—Ballia, Banda, Jalaun, Auraiya, Hamirpur, Mirzapur, and Kanpur Dehat—report damage to crops and livestock. Rescue teams, including the State Disaster Relief Force, have been deployed. However, public complaints suggest slow disbursement of compensation and logistical challenges in reaching remote villages.
Political Landscape Ahead
Akhilesh Yadav’s aggressive posture signals a broad campaign ahead of upcoming elections, positioning himself as the voice of flooding victims. Others—including Congress leaders and local boatmen unions—echo similar sentiments about the government’s development trajectory ignoring the poor and vulnerable.
Tensions are mounting: flood relief has become a political flashpoint, and demands for accountability—and visible action—are growing louder.
Summary & Outlook
Uttar Pradesh’s flood disaster has sparked political drama in addition to humanitarian suffering.. Large swathes of cities and villages are submerged, disrupting life and livelihoods. Akhilesh Yadav and other opposition leaders are utilizing the issue to draw attention to the alleged corruption and indifference of the government. Meanwhile, authorities are scrambling to deliver relief and maintain civic operations amid worsening monsoon warnings.
With heavy rainfall forecast to persist, more areas remain at risk. The state’s trajectory now depends on swift rescue operations, transparent public communication, and genuine relief implementation—far beyond political optics and election-season rhetoric.
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