Varanasi, Aug. 20 -- The water level of the Ganga continued to rise in Varanasi on Thursday, disrupting normal activities along the riverfront as connectivity between several ghats was severed due to the swelling river.

The rising water has affected areas from the Ganga Aarti venues to Manikarnika Ghat, one of the city's major cremation grounds. With the river water entering areas around the ghats, cremation activities at Manikarnika have reportedly been shifted to rooftops and higher locations.

The situation has caused concern among residents and people living and working along the riverfront.

According to the Central Water Commission (CWC), the Ganga is currently rising at a rate of around 50 millimetres per hour.

The water level ha...