Cyclone Arnab-triggered heavy rain left large parts of Cuttack waterlogged on Wednesday, disrupting traffic, stranding commuters and exposing persistent drainage problems across the city. The civic body deployed more than 400 pumps to drain accumulated water from affected areas, according to Cuttack mayor Subhash Singh.
Low-lying areas including Patapole, Mission Road, Telenga Bazar, Haripur and Professorpara faced severe inundation. Several major localities, including Madhupatna, Badambadi, Arunodaya Nagar, Bidanasi and Ranihat, were also affected as torrential rain submerged roads and slowed movement across the city.
Badambadi experienced heavy traffic congestion for several hours after rainwater covered the main road. Vehicles were stranded and office-goers, pedestrians and two-wheeler riders struggled to cross the flooded stretches. In Patapole, residents were seen wading through knee-deep water, while access through other affected areas was also severely restricted.
Residents said the disruption reflected a recurring drainage problem rather than an isolated weather-related inconvenience. Prashant Sahoo, a Badambadi resident, said even a few hours of heavy rain was enough to submerge roads and make daily travel difficult. He said the main market in Badambadi, located in the heart of Cuttack, was regularly affected after short spells of rain.
“Waterlogging in our area has gone from bad to worse. Even a few hours of heavy rain is enough to submerge roads and make daily life miserable. People are forced to wade through dirty water, while commuters struggle to reach their destinations,” Sahoo said.
The flooding also raised concerns for residents living near affected roads. Laju Pani of Professorpara said there was a continuing fear that water could enter homes if the rain persisted. Pani also described the foul smell from the stagnant and dirty rainwater as making it difficult to remain indoors.
Singh said the civic administration had prepared for the rainfall and was monitoring the situation. “More than 400 pumps have been installed across the city to drain out the accumulated rainwater. Our teams are monitoring waterlogging and working to ensure that water recedes from the affected areas,” he said.
The deployment of pumps is intended to clear water from the affected stretches, but residents said temporary dewatering measures had not resolved the underlying problem. Subash Biswal of Meria Bazar called for a permanent solution to Cuttack’s recurring waterlogging.
The civic teams are continuing to monitor inundated areas and operate pumps as the administration works to recede water from roads and neighbourhoods affected by the cyclone-linked rainfall.
