Lucknow floods have disrupted life across low-lying areas for 10 days, affecting around 40,000 homes in Faizullaganj and forcing residents to depend on boats and relief supplies for food, drinking water and medicines. Floodwater has entered houses, shops and institutional campuses as the Gomti continues to affect several parts of the city.
In Faizullaganj, water has reached 4-6 feet inside some homes. Yasmeen Bano, a daily-wage worker, has been living with her family on the rooftop of her single-storey house after floodwater submerged the ground floor and damaged the family’s gas cooktop. Her daughter developed flu-like symptoms and the family travelled by boat to obtain medicines.
Residents in affected localities said sanitation and access to essential supplies had become difficult. Families have reported problems using toilets, bathing and maintaining hygiene, while many remain dependent on relief material brought by officials and other groups. Boats have become the main mode of transport in several areas, with residents saying they are paying Rs 100-200 per trip to commute.
The flooding has also disrupted livelihoods and education. Shops in several localities remain closed, including a grocery store whose owner said business had stopped for 10 days. Some daily-wage workers have lost their income, while families have moved to villages or other locations because of the prolonged waterlogging.
IIIT-Lucknow will remain closed until Sunday after large parts of its campus were inundated. Examinations have been postponed and electricity supply was switched off as a safety measure. Around 800 hostellers were evacuated; 300 returned home and the remaining students were shifted to alternative accommodation. Dean Deepak Kumar Singh said the campus would be reviewed after Sunday, with online classes possible if required.
The flooding has also affected prominent public and commercial sites. Phoenix Palassio mall has effectively become an island, while water has reached Ekana Stadium and the disaster management office. CG City Urban Wetland and Nau Sena Shaurya Vatika have been closed to visitors until further orders as a precautionary measure.
The Lucknow mayor, Sushma Kharkwal, visited Lohramau, Faizullaganj, Daud Nagar, Millat Nagar, Hayat Nagar and Gulmi Kheda, reaching some locations by boat. She distributed food packets, drinking water and medicines, inspected a health camp and reviewed operations at the flood relief control room. Officials were directed to maintain uninterrupted supplies and distribute food packets three times a day.
The Lucknow Development Authority has intensified drainage and relief operations around Ekana Stadium and Phoenix Palassio Mall. Officials created a temporary embankment using boulders and soil to prevent river water from entering the area, while 26 pumping sets are being used to drain water. The authority said manpower had been increased by 50%, with teams working round-the-clock in three shifts.
The irrigation department said the Gomti’s water level was falling upstream and could decline in Lucknow within 24 hours. At Naimisharanya, the level fell by 46 centimetres to 121.56 metres, while it dropped to 113.03 metres at Bhatpurwa. In the city, levels stood at 108.60 metres at Gaughat, 107.29 metres at Hanuman Setu and 107.03 metres at Gomti Barrage.
An irrigation department official said the falling level at Itaunja was also expected to affect conditions in the city. Floodplain work will begin after the water recedes and affected areas become accessible. The official said the Lucknow Development Authority had cleared development from Pakka Pul to the road stretch, while further work would require surveys.
