VARANASI, July 30 -- Operation of boats was suspended in Varanasi on Thursday in view of the rising Ganga water level, police said.

Assistant commissioner of police (Dashashwamedh) Atul Anjan Tripathi said the safety and security of pilgrims and tourists was the administration's top priority. Keeping this in view, boat operations were suspended as the Ganga's water level continued to rise.

According to the Central Water Commission, the Ganga was flowing at 61.84 metres in Varanasi and rising at the rate of 10 mm per hour. The warning level is 70.262 metres, while the danger mark is 71.262 metres.

A water police officer, along with a team of policemen, boarded a boat and used loudhailers to direct boatmen to stop ferrying passengers and...