Severe flooding in northern India: 100-year-old tree swept away by rising Ganga waters
by Aditi VermaThe rising water levels of the Ganga have caused severe flooding in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh, leading to the uprooting of a 100-year-old peepal tree and widespread destruction in surrounding villages. Floodwaters have inundated hundreds of acres of farmland, displacing families and endangering livelihoods.
The incident took place in the Ganga Ghat area near Indira Nagar in Unnao district, the video went viral on September 20.
Visuals showed in the flooded area, a massive tree uprooted, its roots completely severed from the ground, was swept away by the swift currents. The relentless rain had transformed the landscape into a turbulent sea, with water rushing around the tree, illustrating nature’s raw power and the devastation caused by continuous downpours.
The Ganga River has crossed the danger mark in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, causing severe flooding in several villages. Over the past 24 hours, the water level has continued to rise, resulting in widespread devastation. A 100-year-old peepal tree located near a temple in the Ganga Ghat area was uprooted due to riverbank erosion and swept away by the river’s strong currents. The tree, along with a small shrine of Shani Dev that stood beneath it, was carried away by the floodwaters, with videos of the incident going viral on social media.
The flooding has affected hundreds of people, with many villages, including Indira Nagar, Gadanpur Ahar, Faridpur Kattar, and several others in the Bangarmau tehsil, now submerged. Crops across approximately 300 hectares have been destroyed, and villagers are struggling to cope with the inundation.
The local administration has responded by deploying 33 boats in the affected areas to assist in rescue efforts. Relief kits have been distributed to 500 families, with more on the way. Shelters have been set up to provide food and temporary accommodation for the displaced, and the government has arranged fodder for livestock.
Efforts are underway to assess the full extent of the damage, with additional relief measures expected in the coming days. Despite the ongoing relief operations, the situation remains critical as water levels continue to rise, putting more areas at risk.