Lucknow: Intermittent rain showers from Saturday night through Sunday resulted in significant waterlogging in multiple areas of Lucknow, disrupting daily life and raising health concerns. Despite several hours passing, water remained stagnant in over two dozen localities, underscoring the inadequacies in the city’s drainage infrastructure.
The affected areas include Aashiana, Gomtinagar, Indiranagar, Faizullaganj, Sarojininagar, Balaganj, Thakurganj, and Nadarganj, among others. Residents in these localities experienced water levels ranging from ankle to knee-deep, impeding movement and increasing the risk of vector-borne diseases. A resident of Indiranagar, expressed frustration, stating, “It’s just the start of the monsoon season. All the claims and arrangements by the LMC for waterlogging remain only on paper.” His sentiment was echoed by Danish Ali of Faizullaganj, who remarked, “Waterlogging is a problem every year. Every time it rains, water accumulates on the roads, and we must commute through it. Waterlogging also brings the threat of vector-borne diseases spreading in the area.” Another resident of Aashiana, highlighted another issue contributing to the problem. “The waterlogging woes occur every rainy season in the area. People have blocked the drains with illegal ramps, which choke the drains and lead to waterlogging,” he explained. This indicates a deeper structural problem that requires both administrative action and community cooperation to resolve.
In response to the crisis, LMC Commissioner Inderjit Singh conducted an on-site survey with other LMC officials to assess the situation. Singh instructed the concerned departments to promptly clear the clogged drains and ensure the swift removal of stagnant water from the affected areas. His directive aimed to mitigate the immediate discomfort and health hazards posed by the waterlogging. The recurring issue of waterlogging in Lucknow points to chronic challenges in urban planning and infrastructure maintenance. The city’s drainage system struggles to cope with the volume of water during the monsoon, resulting in frequent flooding of streets and residential areas. This not only disrupts daily life but also poses significant health risks due to the potential spread of diseases like dengue and malaria, which thrive in stagnant water. Residents’ complaints suggest a need for a comprehensive overhaul of the drainage infrastructure and stricter enforcement of regulations against illegal constructions that obstruct water flow. The effectiveness of the LMC’s measures will be closely watched in the coming days, as more rain is expected during the monsoon season.
