The Gomti river rose marginally in Lucknow on Thursday, prompting the district administration to deploy 52 boats and expand emergency support for residents in flood-affected settlements, even as falling water levels upstream raised expectations that the river could begin receding within 24 hours.
According to the irrigation department, the river level at Hanuman Setu increased by 6 cm, from 107.24 metres on Wednesday evening to 107.3 metres at 6 pm on Thursday. The level at Gau Ghat reached 108.6 metres, while the Gomti Barrage recorded 107.05 metres.
The administration’s response includes boats for relief and transport, cooked meals, drinking water, medical support and round-the-clock revenue and medical teams. District magistrate Vishakh G inspected flood-hit areas by boat, including Jehta, Barawan Kalan, Saitha, Hayat Nagar, Munna Lal Khera and Umrai Khera, and distributed food and drinking water to affected families.
A relief camp has been established at Hayat Nagar for residents requiring assistance. Mobile toilets have also been arranged in the affected settlements, indicating that the response is dealing not only with immediate evacuation and supplies but also with basic sanitation requirements during the flooding.
The expected change in river conditions is linked to measurements upstream. Neemsar in Sitapur recorded a decline of 50 cm since September 29, reaching 121.52 metres, while Bhatpurwa fell by 15 cm to 113.01 metres since October 2. Officials expect the declining upstream trend to provide relief in Lucknow within the next 24 hours.
The district has also stationed Forest Department personnel to rescue snakes and other animals entering flooded settlements. Their deployment reflects the secondary risks created when floodwater moves through residential areas and displaces wildlife.
For residents in the affected localities, the immediate concern remains access to food, drinking water, transport and medical assistance while river levels remain elevated. The administration’s use of boats is intended to maintain relief access to settlements where roads or normal transport links may be disrupted by floodwater.
The next operational milestone is whether the decline recorded at Neemsar and Bhatpurwa translates into a fall in the Gomti’s levels in Lucknow within the 24-hour period identified by officials. Relief camps, emergency teams, boats and sanitation facilities will remain part of the district response while affected areas continue to be monitored.
