The episode, titled “The Rising Tide,” focuses on the consequences of the dam project and Ganga’s desperate attempt to save her community from a man-made disaster.
The Breach in the Dam
The episode begins with heavy unseasonal rains lashing the village. Thakur Digvijay, in his greed to complete the “New Kashi” resort project, had bypassed several safety regulations for the temporary check-dam. As the water level of the Ganga rises, a massive crack appears in the structure. Instead of warning the villagers, Thakur and his men pack their valuables and flee to the city, leaving the “Daughters of the River” directly in the path of the impending flood.
Ganga’s Intuition
While the village sleeps, Ganga notices the unusual behavior of the birds and the local animals. She rushes to the riverbank and sees the water turning muddy and turbulent—a sign of an upstream collapse. She grabs the temple bell and begins to ring it frantically, waking up the orphanage and the nearby residents. Her quick thinking allows the children to move to the higher ground of the “Purani Haveli,” which she recently secured via the historical land deeds.
Shivani’s Heroic Rescue
As the first wave of water hits the lower village, Shivani realizes that Choti, one of the younger orphans, is missing. Ignoring the rising current, Shivani swims back to the dormitories. In a heart-pounding sequence, she finds Choti trapped under a fallen wooden beam. With the water rising to their waists, Shivani uses a crowbar to lift the beam, barely managing to pull Choti out before the roof collapses.
The Climax: A Confrontation in the Storm
The episode ends with Ganga standing on the edge of the rising waters, looking at the distant headlights of Thakur’s departing convoy. She realizes that this wasn’t just a natural disaster, but a calculated move by Thakur to “cleanse” the land of the orphanage. She takes a vow by the river: “If the Ganga takes away our home today, I will make sure it takes away your throne tomorrow.” The final shot shows the check-dam completely giving way, sending a wall of water toward the village.
Major Highlights
- The Man-Made Disaster: Thakur’s negligence leads to a dam breach during a storm.
- The Warning Bell: Ganga’s alertness prevents a massive loss of life as she evacuates the village in the middle of the night.
- Shivani’s Bravery: Shivani risks her life to save a trapped child from the flooding orphanage.
- The Final Vow: Ganga declares war on Thakur, realizing his role in the catastrophe.
Precap for Tomorrow:
The morning reveals the extent of the devastation. While the orphanage is partially submerged, the “Ancient Chest” found earlier is revealed to contain a hidden compartment with a map to an underground drainage system built by the ancestors. Ganga realizes they can use this to drain the water. Meanwhile, a news reporter arrives from the city, and Ganga prepares to expose Thakur’s “New Kashi” scam on live television.
