Severe waterlogging paralyzes Lalgunj town after intense rainfall, locals blame poor drainage

Intense rainfall led to severe waterlogging across Lalgunj town in Raibareli, bringing life to a standstill as roads and residential wards were inundated. Residents struggled to step out of their homes as floodwaters submerged streets on both sides, making movement extremely difficult.

Local residents blamed the civic authorities for failing to clean drains and sewers in time, which they said contributed significantly to the waterlogging crisis. "Whenever it rains, the roads and wards get flooded, and it becomes very difficult for people to move around," said local resident Naveen Sahu. He pointed out that the problem could have been prevented with timely maintenance of the drainage system.

The sudden downpour also affected local businesses. Mohammad Amir, who runs a cloth shop on the main road, reported that rainwater entered his store, damaging essential goods. "The rain was so heavy that water entered the shop and the necessary items got soaked," he said. Several other residents including Deepak Gupta, Mohammad Altaf, Sanjay Gupta, and Gopal Ji have also reported the issue to authorities.

Responding to the complaints, Lalgunj Nagar Panchayat President Sarita Gupta acknowledged the waterlogging problem and said sanitation workers have been deployed to address the situation. She assured residents that the problem would be resolved soon. However, locals remain concerned about the recurring nature of the issue during the monsoon season.

The incident highlights the persistent drainage infrastructure challenges in smaller towns across Uttar Pradesh, where even moderate rainfall often leads to urban flooding and disruption of daily life. Residents have called for a permanent solution rather than ad-hoc measures after every rain event.