Lucknow: For thousands of residents in flood-hit parts of Lucknow, the crisis has moved beyond waterlogging to a fight for safety, shelter and clean drinking water.In Faizullaganj, one of the worst-affected localities, floodwaters have inundated homes and lanes, forcing families to evacuate with whatever belongings they can save. Residents said a bedridden elderly man had to be carried to safety by four people as water levels continued to rise.According to local updates, more than 1 lakh people have been affected and over 40,000 houses partially submerged. In some areas, water has reached the neck level, making movement difficult.“We just want the water drained,” said a resident, Deepika Srivastava, alleging that stagnant water outside her home had remained uncleared. She said residents were also facing a drinking water shortage and growing fears of waterborne diseases.Another resident, Abhishek, said most families in his neighbourhood have already left. “Watching a bedridden neighbour being carried out was heartbreaking. We may also have to shift as there seems to be no other option,” he said.Anger over the situation has triggered protests in several affected areas.In Faizullaganj, a resident, Adarsh Verma, staged a demonstration in floodwater, alleging inadequate relief and poor access to aid in interior localities. The allegations could not be independently verified.In Millat Nagar, flood-hit residents protested from a boat, carrying posters that read “mayor missing”.The rising Gomti has transformed parts of the city. Boats are now operating inside the submerged Gomti Riverfront, while roads, parks and public spaces remain underwater. At Ekana Stadium, 26 pumping sets have been deployed to drain accumulated water.The floods have also disrupted religious life. At Lete Hanuman Temple in Chowk, the idol of the deity was submerged, forcing devotees to offer prayers from outside. Several other religious sites have also reported flooding.Small businesses are counting losses as well. Nidhi, who runs a food stall in Gomtinagar, said waterlogging had submerged seating and damaged equipment. “Everything is soaked, and the stools are underwater,” she said.With floodwaters showing little sign of receding, concerns are mounting over sanitation, drinking water and the risk of diseases like diarrhoea, cholera and typhoid. Residents say immediate priorities include drainage, clean water, evacuation support and timely relief for those still stranded in flooded neighbourhoods.As the crisis deepens, many families remain uncertain about when they will be able to return home and whether their homes will be habitable when the waters finally recede.LMC distributes 1,900 food packetsLMC distributed 1,900 food packets and drinking water bottles in waterlogged areas and said three drones would be deployed from Saturday to expand anti-larval spraying. Municipal commissioner Gaurav Kumar inspected Faizullaganj, Gulmi Kheda and other affected localities and reviewed relief operations. The civic body reported a fall in water levels and continued relief, sanitation and health measures in affected areas.Teams used boats to deliver cooked food and dry ration in Hayat Nagar, Barawan Kala, Tand Kheda, Sukhlal Kheda, Munnu Kheda, Daulat Kheda and Gulmi Kheda. Around 70 employees at Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Bhasha University handled relief supplies and loaded food stocks onto tractors for distribution. LMC also conducted drone-based anti-larval spraying in Lohramau and Daudnagar.Health teams survey 220 housesHealth department teams surveyed 220 houses in flood-hit areas, distributed 288 health kits and supplied medicines, chlorine tablets and ORS packets.Chief medical officer NB Singh inspected Jehta, Daudnagar and Faizullaganj and reviewed health services. Kakori CHC teams surveyed 160 houses in Munnalal Kheda and Saitha Takia and distributed 288 health kits.In Faizullaganj, health workers surveyed 60 houses in Krishnalok Nagar, Gomti Vihar and Jugal Vihar and distributed medicines, chlorine tablets and ORS packets.A medical camp operated in Daudnagar, while a 108 ambulance service and medical teams remained deployed in affected areas.
