Lucknow: The rising Gomti has filled its adjoining and low-lying areas of the city with floodwater, leaving families struggling for drinking water, medicines, electricity and safe access to essential services.From Faizullaganj and Daudnagar to parts of Gomti Nagar Extension and other flood-prone neighbourhoods, residents are watching water enter homes, submerge lanes and cut off easy access to hospitals, pharmacies and markets. For many families, the immediate concern is no longer just protecting their homes from rising water, but ensuring they have enough safe drinking water and essential medicines to get through the crisis.More than 500 houses have been affected in Faizullaganj, residents said. Several lanes remain waterlogged, making it difficult for families, particularly the elderly, children and those with medical needs, to step out for essential supplies.For residents trapped inside their homes, even something as basic as drinking water has become a growing concern.“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?” said Mohammad Danish, a resident.The situation is particularly distressing for families caring for elderly and sick relatives. In Daudnagar, Vimal Yadav said his 70-year-old grandmother is almost bedridden, making it extremely difficult for the family to manage her daily needs as the surrounding area remains waterlogged.“She is unable to walk and we are facing a lot of difficulty taking care of her and maintaining her medicine supplies,” he said.Access to healthcare has also emerged as a major concern across the affected areas. The govt hospital at Daudnagar is surrounded by water, making it difficult for patients and their attendants to reach the facility. Residents have sought medical teams and supplies of essential medicines in the affected neighbourhoods.Power cuts have added another layer of anxiety. Residents in some areas reported outages after dark, leaving waterlogged lanes poorly lit and making movement even more difficult at night.The impact of the rising Gomti is now visible at several prominent locations across the city. Hanumant Dham and Bhaisakund have reported rising water, while Food Valley at the riverfront has been temporarily closed.The flooding has also disrupted sporting activities. Water has entered SAGE cricket stadium, forcing the cricket academy to suspend activities, while Ekana stadium complex has reported waterlogging outside its premises.In Emaar Gomti Greens, residents are keeping a close watch as water moves towards the residential area through the drainage network. The residents’ association has sought regular monitoring of the river, protection of the society’s electricity substation and access to rescue and disaster-response teams.With water levels rising or remaining high in several low-lying pockets, residents fear that even areas currently facing only waterlogging could see conditions worsen if the river continues to rise.10 barrage gates openedThe irrigation department has opened all 10 gates of Gomti barrage to allow water to flow downstream. Forty-eight drainage outlets have also been closed to prevent river water from entering Lucknow’s drainage network.Executive engineer Mukesh Vaish said water from upstream districts, including Lakhimpur Kheri, Pilibhit and Sitapur, was still reaching Lucknow, causing the river level to rise despite the rain easing.“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.For families across Lucknow’s affected neighbourhoods, however, the wait for water to recede is becoming a test of endurance. Behind every flooded lane are residents worrying about safe drinking water, medicines for elderly family members, access to hospitals and electricity through another difficult night.
