CUTTACK: With incessant rain continuing to lash Millennium City since Tuesday morning, several lowlying areas were under kneedeep water on Wednesday. More than 50 localities like Badambadi, Roxy Lane, Pithapur, Rajabagicha, Jhanjir Mangala, Patapola, Rausa Patana, Friends Colony, Ganga Mandir, Balu Bazaar, Kazi Bazaar, Kesharpur, Gomandia, Samanta Sahi, Tulasipur, Siddheswarsahi, Tanlasahi, Kanika Chowk, Rover Street, Khatbin Sahi, Jobra, Jagatpur, Mahanadi Vihar, Nuabazar, Khannagar and parts of Chauliaganj and Madhupatana region have been affected.
Different roads and lanes connecting populated areas of the above regions have also been inundated. Drain water gushed into several houses located in the low-lying areas like Mehendipur, Sutahat Tanti Sahi, Kazi Bazar, Nua Raousapatana and Kesharpur making life miserable for the of residents.Residents have blamed inefficiency of Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) in desilting and cleaning the clogged drains. “The city drainage system has a capacity to drain out water-logging arising out of maximum 30 mm to 50 mm rainfall. It is a matter of concern as to how it is getting flooded after receiving only 27 mm rainfall during the last 24 hours,” said Suresh Dash of Badambadi.
Considering the seriousness of the situation, Collector Sushant Kumar Mohapatra convened an emergency meeting of CMC officials and other line departments to take stock of the situation. “As many as 140 dewatering motor pump sets have been deployed at different low-lying areas of the city to release water. Besides, 5 high power Volvo dewatering motor pumps have been deployed at Matrubhawan to pump out storm water,” said Mohapatra hoping that the situation would improve by Thursday.