Lucknow: Around one lakh people in Faizullaganj and over a dozen adjoining localities, including residents of Bakshi Ka Talab (BKT), have been severely affected as the overflowing Gomti inundated roads and residential areas, disrupting access to schools, workplaces and other essential services.Among the affected localities are Daudnagar, Loharamau, Patang Maidan, Tara Babu Ka Farm, Mama Colony and Sarpit Kachchi Dhal.Residents in Faizullaganj are using boats to cross inundated roads, while many families have shifted their belongings to safer places. Schoolchildren and office-goers have been among the worst affected.“The situation worsens after dark as there is no electricity. Snakes and insects can be seen in the water,” said Kishan, a resident of Faizullaganj.Residents also complained about the inadequate number of boats, saying they are often forced to wait for transport. Some alleged that evacuees are not always allowed to carry their belongings.At Emaar Gomti Greens, residents have raised concerns over the rising river level and the safety of the electricity substation and other infrastructure. The residents’ welfare association (RWA) has sought round-the-clock monitoring of the river and advance deployment of pumps, generators and rescue equipment.“Our objective is not to create panic but to draw the administration’s attention to the risk in time,” RWA president Rajkishore said, seeking coordination among the district administration, disaster management authorities and the power department.The irrigation department said the Gomti’s water level, which remained high over the past seven days, has started receding and relief is expected within the next 24 hours. Officials attributed the rise to rainfall in Lucknow and the upstream Terai belt.Executive engineer Mukesh Vaish said BKT and Faizullaganj are likely to get relief first, while water levels in Gomti Nagar and Gomti Nagar Extension may take another 12 hours to recede.Flood-hit residents get relief suppliesLucknow: Relief supplies were distributed door-to-door by boat among flood-affected families in Mama Colony on 60 Feet Road in Daudnagar, Faizullaganj, on Saturday.The affected families received flour, pulses, rice, puffed rice, biscuits, salt, mustard oil, spices, potatoes, onions, sanitary pads, clothes, soap, disposable bags and buckets. Acting on the directions of Defence Minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh, his representative Diwakar Tripathi, MLA Dr Neeraj Bora, MLC Mukesh Sharma and PRO Pushkar Shukla coordinated with district disaster management authorities to arrange boats for transporting relief supplies and evacuating residents.Tripathi said water tankers had been deployed in the area, a medical camp was operational and temporary shelters had been arranged for affected families.Meanwhile, acting on Singh’s instructions, Bora urged the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) to construct an embankment along the left bank of the Gomti from IIM Road to Harding Bridge to address recurring flooding.Following the request, the LDA vice-chairperson forwarded a proposal worth Rs 182 crore for inclusion in the 2026-27 Infrastructure Development Plan and sent it to the UP housing and urban planning department for approval.
