High water interrupts ABN Rajmahal cruise in eastern India
Passengers continued to Patna by train after flooding left the river vessel unable to clear bridges along its route.
Heavy rain and flash flooding upstream in Nepal raised the Ganges through eastern India, preventing the ABN Rajmahal from passing beneath bridges ahead of the vessel.
General manager Kunal Singh said water levels had left the boat unable to clear the crossings on its planned route. Travelers from New Zealand, Australia, Denmark and the Netherlands disembarked and completed the journey to Patna overland, taking a five-hour train ride.
The disruption prevented planned visits to Munger, known for its fort, and Sultanganj, where the itinerary included a rock-cut temple. Both destinations had become inaccessible to the cruise.
ABN Rajmahal is operated by Assam Bengal Navigation, an Indian-British company that has offered luxury river cruises on the Ganges and Brahmaputra since 2003. The vessel had not previously failed to complete a river journey.