Cuttack, : Rain wreaked havoc in Cuttack on Tuesday after a heavy downpour which lasted for over an hour left several residential and market areas of the city severely waterlogged. The city received around 70 mm rainfall in just one-and-a-halfhour prompting the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) authorities to engage dewatering
pump sets. What added to the residents’ misery was the choked drains that worsened the
waterlogging issues. Among the 130 places that were submerged under water, the
situation turned grim in Patapola, MakarabagSahi, Meria Bazar, Gamadia, Kesharpur, Dhobi Lane, Sutahat, DagabarSahi, New Rausapatana, ShilpiKumbharSahi, Balu Bazar, Kazi Bazar, Rovers Street, JholaSahi, KathagadaSahi, Tulasipur, Haripur, Bhagatpur,
Pithapur, Roxy Lane etc., where overflowing drain water gushed into several houses located in lowlying areas. “Heavy rain lashed the city from 3.30 pm to 5 pm resulting in
overflowing drains and gushing of sewage water into our houses. Such was the situation that we had to shift our belongings to safer places. The filthy water emanated a foul smell and created a very unhygienic surrounding,” said Sanjay Pani, a resident of Sutahat New Colony. Communication too, was severely hit as roads and streets were submerged under knee-deep waters making commuting difficult for people. Residents
attributed the situation to the alleged apathy on part of the CMC in clearing the choked
drains. “After completion of the box drain project on main storm water channel (MSWC)-1, we were hopeful of getting relief from the persistent waterlogging
problem. But nothing improved as the civic body failed to desilt and repair the drains in time. Despite making tall claims, the CMC did not clean the branch drains. Hence, whenever it rains, overflowing drains make our lives miserable,” rued some residents.
CMC mayor Subhas Singh said the civic body has mobilised 250 dewatering motor pump sets for draining out water from the low-lying areas.

More Stories
Kajol & Rani Mukherji get emotional during family Durga Puja celebrations
PM Modi meets Vice President CP Radhakrishnan in Delhi
21st Annual Convocation of KIIT-DU Begins Tomorrow