This study focused on the changes in the water quality parameters of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers due to the mass bathing events during Mahakumbh-2025 at Sangam in Prayagraj by using statistical analysis and water quality index (WQI) and water pollution index (WPI), and statistical analyses, and compared with standards prescribed by the WHO (<CitationRef CitationID="CR68">2022</CitationRef>), BIS (<CitationRef CitationID="CR6">2012</CitationRef>), and CPCB (<CitationRef CitationID="CR10">2013</CitationRef>). A total of 78 samples were collected during the pre-, during-, and post-Mahakumbh period, and nineteen water quality parameters were analyzed. The samples were analyzed for 19 parameters, including physicochemical characteristics (temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, salinity, and dissolved oxygen), major ions (Ca2⁺, Mg2⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, HCO₃⁻, Cl⁻, SO₄2⁻, F⁻, and NO₃⁻), organic load indicators (COD and BOD), and microbiological indicators (Escherichia coli and total coliform). Most parameters exhibited significant fluctuations during the event, with mean electrical conductivity rising from 166.7 to 435.4 μS/cm and total dissolved solids from 93 to 216.3 mg/L, while COD more than doubled (20 to 46.8 mg/L). A significant decrease in DO levels was found at that time. The high MPN counts (T. coli:38.5 to ≥ 2419.6 MPN and E. coli: 1 to ≥ 2419.6 MPN) observed during the Kumbh period render the water unfit for bathing and drinking. The major ion concentrations in the samples exhibited the following trend: HCO₃⁻ > Ca2⁺ > Cl⁻ > SO₄2⁻ > Na⁺ > Mg2⁺ > NO₃⁻ > K⁺ > F⁻, indicating the predominance of bicarbonate ions and reflecting the alkaline nature of the water. The PCA correlation matrix reveals relationships among water quality parameters, identifying between geogenic and anthropogenic influences on surface water chemistry. The results of PCA-based factor analysis indicate the impact of geological processes and human activities, as reflected by elevated levels of EC, TDS, salinity, Ca2⁺, Mg2⁺, Na⁺, Cl⁻, and SO₄2⁻ in river water. The pH, BOD, DO, COD, and MPN counts are major factors contributing to the water quality index (WQI) during the Kumbh period. WPI values ranged from 0.34 to 1.26 during the 2025 Mahakumbh period. The WQI value observed during the Mahakumbh period was relatively higher (WQI:108.5 to 228.1, poor to very poor), highlighting a temporary but severe deterioration in water quality during the event, necessitating improved management and real-time monitoring.

Effects of anthropogenic stress on river water quality during Mahakumbh (2025) at Sangam, Prayagraj, India: a multivariate approach and water quality index

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发表日期：

2026年7月8日

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Rakesh Kumar Parida,
Santosh Kumar Rai,
Manish Pant

摘要

This study focused on the changes in the water quality parameters of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers due to the mass bathing events during Mahakumbh-2025 at Sangam in Prayagraj by using statistical analysis and water quality index (WQI) and water pollution index (WPI), and statistical analyses, and compared with standards prescribed by the WHO (2022), BIS (2012), and CPCB (2013). A total of 78 samples were collected during the pre-, during-, and post-Mahakumbh period, and nineteen water quality parameters were analyzed. The samples were analyzed for 19 parameters, including physicochemical characteristics (temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, salinity, and dissolved oxygen), major ions (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, HCO₃⁻, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, F⁻, and NO₃⁻), organic load indicators (COD and BOD), and microbiological indicators (Escherichia coli and total coliform). Most parameters exhibited significant fluctuations during the event, with mean electrical conductivity rising from 166.7 to 435.4 μS/cm and total dissolved solids from 93 to 216.3 mg/L, while COD more than doubled (20 to 46.8 mg/L). A significant decrease in DO levels was found at that time. The high MPN counts (T. coli:38.5 to ≥ 2419.6 MPN and E. coli: 1 to ≥ 2419.6 MPN) observed during the Kumbh period render the water unfit for bathing and drinking. The major ion concentrations in the samples exhibited the following trend: HCO₃⁻ > Ca²⁺ > Cl⁻ > SO₄²⁻ > Na⁺ > Mg²⁺ > NO₃⁻ > K⁺ > F⁻, indicating the predominance of bicarbonate ions and reflecting the alkaline nature of the water. The PCA correlation matrix reveals relationships among water quality parameters, identifying between geogenic and anthropogenic influences on surface water chemistry. The results of PCA-based factor analysis indicate the impact of geological processes and human activities, as reflected by elevated levels of EC, TDS, salinity, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, Cl⁻, and SO₄²⁻ in river water. The pH, BOD, DO, COD, and MPN counts are major factors contributing to the water quality index (WQI) during the Kumbh period. WPI values ranged from 0.34 to 1.26 during the 2025 Mahakumbh period. The WQI value observed during the Mahakumbh period was relatively higher (WQI:108.5 to 228.1, poor to very poor), highlighting a temporary but severe deterioration in water quality during the event, necessitating improved management and real-time monitoring.