Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, August 5, 2025 – Heavy rain and rising floodwaters have forced all schools in Varanasi to close on August 5 and 6, following an orange alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for Uttar Pradesh. The alert warns of heavy to very heavy rainfall, raising concerns about flooding in the city, where the Ganga River has already crossed the danger mark, submerging ghats and low-lying areas.
The Varanasi District School Superintendent announced that schools from pre-primary to Class 12, including those under Basic Education Council, Secondary Education Council, CBSE, ICSE, and Sanskrit boards, will remain shut to ensure student safety. “With the Ganga’s water levels rising and roads waterlogged, we can’t take risks,” the superintendent said. Local authorities are also monitoring the situation, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed to rescue people in flood-affected areas like Prayagraj and Varanasi.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to stay on high alert. An 11-member ministerial team is visiting 12 flood-hit districts, including Varanasi, to oversee relief efforts. “We’re ensuring food, water, and shelter for those displaced,” an official said. Over 6,500 people have been moved to safer areas as 24 localities and 32 villages face flooding.
