Lucknow floods linked to the rising Gomti have affected more than 500 homes in Faizullaganj and disrupted access to drinking water, medicines, hospitals, electricity and markets across several low-lying neighbourhoods. The irrigation department has opened all 10 gates of the Gomti barrage and closed 48 drainage outlets to prevent river water from entering the city’s drainage network.
Residents in Faizullaganj, Daudnagar, parts of Gomti Nagar Extension and other flood-prone areas said water had entered homes and submerged lanes, making it difficult to leave for essential supplies. Families caring for elderly people, children and residents with medical needs have faced particular difficulty as access to pharmacies and hospitals has been disrupted.
More than 500 houses have been affected in Faizullaganj, according to residents. Mohammad Danish, a resident, said the local borewell had become contaminated after coming into contact with floodwater. “Drinking water is becoming a bigger problem every day as the borewell is contaminated with flood water. We can manage staying inside the house for some time, but how do we arrange water and medicines?” he said.
In Daudnagar, residents said the local government hospital was surrounded by water, affecting patients and attendants trying to reach the facility. Vimal Yadav said his 70-year-old grandmother, who is almost bedridden, was struggling to receive regular care and medicines because the surrounding area remained waterlogged. Residents have sought medical teams and supplies of essential medicines in affected neighbourhoods.
Power cuts have added to the difficulties. Residents in some areas reported outages after dark, leaving waterlogged lanes poorly lit and making movement harder at night. Rising water has also been reported around Hanumant Dham and Bhaisakund, while Food Valley at the riverfront has been temporarily closed.
Flooding has disrupted sporting facilities as well. Water has entered the SAGE cricket stadium, prompting its academy to suspend activities, while waterlogging has been reported outside the Ekana stadium complex. At Emaar Gomti Greens, residents have asked for regular monitoring of the river, protection for the residential society’s electricity substation and access to rescue and disaster-response teams.
Executive engineer Mukesh Vaish said water from upstream districts, including Lakhimpur Kheri, Pilibhit and Sitapur, was still reaching Lucknow even as rainfall had eased. “Water level is stable and has started reducing. We hope it will return to normal in next few days. However, water in downstream areas, including Gomti Nagar Extension, will take more time to recede,” he said.
The irrigation department’s opening of all 10 barrage gates is intended to allow water to flow downstream, while the closure of 48 drainage outlets is aimed at stopping river water from entering Lucknow’s drainage network. Authorities are continuing to monitor the river and affected low-lying areas as residents wait for water levels and access conditions to improve.