Varanasi Monsoon and River Rise: What It Means for Ganges Flooding and Pilgrim Tourism
Everything live for Varanasi, in one place.
As of 19 October 2026, Varanasi is at 26°C and smoky haze, with a 3% chance of rain. Petrol costs ₹102.51/L and diesel ₹95.96/L here today.
Air is unhealthy today and worse than yesterday. Smoky haze expected through the day.
Cost of Living & Breathing Index in Varanasi: 60/100 (Fair)
Rank #137 of 271 tracked cities · flat vs 30 days ago
What's driving this score
Score starts at 100 and only tracks two things: today's air quality and how the local fuel price compares to the national average. Varanasi's AQI of 481 took off 40 points; fuel here is at or below the national average and took off 0 more - leaving 60/100. This isn't a full cost-of-living measure, only these two.
🕒 Updated 19 Oct 2026, 12:00am
Live Air Quality in Varanasi Today: 431 (Severe)
Up 84 points from yesterday
Last 7 days
Pollutant breakdown
CO is driving Varanasi's Air Quality Index (AQI) right now - it's the pollutant with the worst sub-index, which is what the overall number is based on (the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)'s National AQI methodology takes the worst reading, not an average).
🕒 Updated 19 Oct, 10:20 AM IST · next refresh in ~273 min
Live Weather in Varanasi Today: 26°C, Smoky haze
65% humidity · down 0° yesterday
Today, hour by hour
23°
💧17%
23°
💧6%
23°
💧7%
22°
💧8%
22°
💧7%
21°
💧8%
22°
💧8%
24°
💧14%
26°
💧8%
28°
💧6%
29°
💧3%
30°
💧3%
31°
💧8%
32°
💧9%
32°
💧9%
31°
💧10%
29°
💧11%
26°
💧11%
25°
💧2%
24°
💧2%
23°
💧13%
23°
💧3%
23°
💧3%
22°
💧3%
☀️ Best window outdoors today: 6 AM–8 PM - lower rain chance and comfortable temperatures.
🕒 Updated 19 Oct, 9:34 AM IST · next refresh in ~2 min
Varanasi Petrol and Diesel Rates Today: ₹102.51 and ₹95.96
Petrol up ₹0.65 yesterday
Varanasi Auspicious Times for Today
Sunrise 6:47 AM · Sunset 6:12 PM · Rahu Kalam 8:13 AM-9:38 AM
Varanasi Bank Status Today: Closed
Closed today - Dussehra/Durga Puja
Banks in Uttar Pradesh are closed today (Dussehra/Durga Puja).
Weather Alerts for Varanasi Today
No active IMD weather alerts for Uttar Pradesh right now.
Compare Varanasi with Nearby Cities
vs Chandauli, Siddharthnagar and 4 more nearby cities
Live Varanasi Mandi Prices Today
No mandi within 150 km of Varanasi has reported recently. See Uttar Pradesh mandi prices → More on Uttar Pradesh →
Varanasi PIN Codes / Postal Index Number
265 post offices across 39 PIN codes in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Showing 211–240 of 265 post offices
| Post Office | Pincode | Office Type | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ramnagar SO Varanasi Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221008 | PO | Delivery |
|
Rani Bhawani Katra SO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221001 | PO | Non Delivery |
|
Rasoolgarh BO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221007 | BO | Delivery |
|
Rasoolpur BO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221204 | BO | Delivery |
|
Rohana BO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221108 | BO | Delivery |
|
Rupchandpur BO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221208 | BO | Delivery |
|
Sajoi BO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221302 | BO | Delivery |
|
Sakalpur BO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221403 | BO | Delivery |
|
Saraimohana BO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221112 | BO | Delivery |
|
Saraiya No1 BO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221101 | BO | Delivery |
|
Sarauni BO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221302 | BO | Delivery |
|
Sarnath SO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221007 | PO | Delivery |
|
Sarsawan BO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221003 | BO | Delivery |
|
Sarva Seva Sangh SO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221001 | PO | Non Delivery |
|
Sathwa BO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221007 | BO | Delivery |
|
Seergoverdhan BO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221011 | BO | Delivery |
|
Sehamalpur BO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221208 | BO | Delivery |
|
Sewapuri SO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221403 | PO | Delivery |
|
Shahanshahpur BO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221305 | BO | Delivery |
|
Shankerpur BO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221112 | BO | Delivery |
|
Shivala SO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221001 | PO | Non Delivery |
|
Shivdasa BO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221104 | BO | Delivery |
|
Shivrampur BO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221202 | BO | Delivery |
|
Sigra SO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221010 | PO | Non Delivery |
|
Sikhari Barki BO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221403 | BO | Delivery |
|
Sindhora SO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221208 | PO | Delivery |
|
Singhpur BO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221101 | BO | Delivery |
|
Sisawan BO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221201 | BO | Delivery |
|
Srikanthpur BO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221116 | BO | Delivery |
|
Sultanipur BO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221101 | BO | Delivery |
Gas Price
How is Varanasi's AQI calculated?
The Air Quality Index combines PM2.5, PM10, NO₂, SO₂, CO and O₃ readings from CPCB-monitored stations into one 0–500 score, using whichever pollutant reads worst as the overall number rather than an average of all of them. Today the dominant pollutant driving that number in Varanasi is CO. Varanasi's current AQI of 431 falls in the "Severe" band (400+).
Is Varanasi's air quality safe today?
Not fully - Varanasi is at Severe today (AQI 431). Avoid all outdoor activity. This level affects even healthy people.
What are today's petrol and diesel prices in Varanasi?
Petrol is ₹102.51/L, diesel ₹95.96/L, for Varanasi. Fuel prices are revised daily and can vary slightly by station. The base crude and refinery cost is the same nationwide - state VAT and cess are what make petrol cheaper or pricier just across a state line.
Why does Varanasi's gold price match the national rate?
Gold is one national spot rate, not set city by city - Varanasi's price tracks the same international gold market and the day's USD/INR exchange rate as everywhere else in India.
Are banks open in Varanasi today?
No - banks in Uttar Pradesh are closed today (Dussehra/Durga Puja).
What is Rahu Kalam in Varanasi today?
Rahu Kalam in Varanasi today runs from 8:13 AM to 9:38 AM. Hindu tradition treats this window as inauspicious for starting new ventures, travel, or important decisions.
Why Check Varanasi's Weather and AQI?
Varanasi is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities and among Hinduism's most significant pilgrimage sites, built along the ghats of the Ganges where the daily Ganga Aarti ceremony draws large crowds of pilgrims and tourists every evening. Weather here isn't background information for visitors - it directly determines whether the riverside ghats are even accessible.
Ganges Flooding and Pilgrim Tourism Impact
During the monsoon, the Ganges regularly rises enough to submerge the lower ghats entirely, forcing rituals and boat rides to relocate or pause for weeks at a time - a recurring seasonal event locals plan around. Winter fog also affects the city's airport, which handles significant pilgrim and tourist traffic. Track Varanasi weather before planning a ghat visit or sunrise boat ride during monsoon season.
Seasonal Guide
Oct-Mar: Peak Pilgrim Season - Cool, comfortable conditions and full ghat access; December-January fog can delay flights.
Apr-Jun: Extreme Heat - Highs regularly exceed 43°C; outdoor rituals shift to early morning and evening.
Jul-Sep: Monsoon and River Rise - The Ganges frequently floods the lower ghats; check Varanasi AQI and river levels together before a ghat visit.
Data Methodology
Weather and AQI figures are drawn from public government monitoring sources and refreshed regularly. See Uttar Pradesh weather and AQI for how Varanasi compares with other cities in the state.