Lucknow floods began to ease after the Gomti river level fell 6 cm in 24 hours, but water remains trapped in several low-lying colonies and relief operations are continuing for nearly 40,000 affected residents.
The river level stood at 107.2 metres at 6pm on Saturday, according to the irrigation department, down from the previous day and 1.22 metres below the warning mark of 108.50 metres. The decline has brought limited relief to residents of Faizullahganj, Daud Nagar, Mama Colony and adjoining settlements, where floodwater has entered homes and damaged household belongings.
Water in the interior colonies may take several days to drain even after the main river level recedes. Residents said access to food and essential supplies was becoming difficult after roads were blocked. “We stocked ration for a few days when the water started rising and blocked roads. The groceries are now running out, and we are struggling to meet our basic needs,” said Danish Mahfooz, a resident of Faizullahganj.
Vimal Yadav of Mama Colony said water more than five feet deep had entered his house, damaging furniture and electronic appliances. “We could not shift them to the first floor in time. We have lost everything,” he said.
The flooding has revived memories of the 2008 inundation in Lucknow. An irrigation department official said the impact on residential settlements was considerably greater this time because habitation had expanded closer to the Gomti’s floodplains. The official said nearly 40,000 people had been affected, compared with a significantly lower level of disruption in 2008, when floodwaters reached Vipul Khand.
According to the official, the river had more open floodplain space around two decades ago, allowing excess water to spread and recede without causing comparable disruption. Extensive construction and encroachments over the years have reduced that space, leaving densely populated settlements exposed when water levels rise.
Relief operations continued across the affected localities. The administration said cooked food, drinking water and essential supplies were being transported by boat. Fifty-two boats were operating in Faizullahganj for relief distribution and transportation. A relief camp has been established at Hayat Nagar, while medical and revenue teams have been deployed around the clock. Mobile toilets have also been arranged, and forest department personnel are helping rescue snakes and other animals entering flooded settlements.
District magistrate Vishakh G said relief teams would continue providing food, drinking water, medicines and other essential amenities as the water receded. The Lucknow Municipal Corporation deployed water tankers and sanitation workers and began anti-larval spraying and fogging to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks.
Irrigation officials said declining water levels upstream at Neemsar and Bhatpurwa in Sitapur indicated that the flood surge was easing. Defence minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh reviewed the situation through a video call with an affected resident and spoke to district administration officials, directing them to expedite relief operations and ensure supplies reached stranded families. For residents whose homes, shops and vehicles remain submerged, recovery will continue after the river itself has receded.
