Cuttack: A spell of heavy rain on Friday evening brought large parts of Cuttack to a standstill, exposing the under-preparedness of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation ahead of the monsoon. Several low-lying areas, including Badambadi, Roxy Lane, Patapole, Kesharpur, Buxi Bazaar, Dewan Bazaar, Taladanda Canal Road, OMP Square, Station Bazaar, Rovers Street, and Sutahat, remained submerged under knee-deep water for hours, leaving residents stranded and disrupting normal life.
Residents Face Unhygienic Conditions
“Rainwater mixed with overflowing drain water entered our homes, leaving behind a stench and unhygienic conditions. We are forced to live in dirty water because the civic body has failed to ensure proper drainage despite repeated promises every monsoon,” said Subhas Biswal, a resident of Dewan Bazaar.
SCB Medical College Entrance Flooded
The situation turned alarming near the entrance gate of SCB Medical College and Hospital on the Mangalabag side, where rainwater accumulated heavily, resembling a pond. Several vehicles were partially submerged, while attendants and patients struggled to enter the premier healthcare institution.
“I came to SCB for treatment, but the entrance near Mangalabag was completely flooded. There was no way to enter the hospital, so we had to walk a long distance and go through the Ranihat gate. It is shameful that patients and attendants are forced to struggle through water just to reach a hospital,” said Pramila Pradhan, a resident of Dhenkanal, who came for treatment.
“The roads have turned into rivers. Children, elderly people, and patients are suffering. This is not rainwater management; this is complete civic failure,” said Saroj Das, a resident of the Mangalabag area.
Waterlogging Near Collector's Residence
Knee-deep waterlogging was also reported near the residence of the Cuttack Collector. Visuals from across the city showed people wading through murky water, with motorists abandoning vehicles and shopkeepers desperately trying to prevent water from entering their establishments.
“We pay taxes regularly, but every year the city drowns after a few hours of rain. It feels like the administration waits for a disaster before taking action,” said Pramod Sahoo, a resident of Badambadi.
“The drains were supposedly desilted before the monsoon. If this is the condition after one evening shower, what will happen during continuous rains?” questioned Sahoo.
Mayor's Response
Mayor Subhash Singh said, “The rain was intense and led to temporary waterlogging in some low-lying pockets. Our teams were immediately deployed to clear drains and monitor vulnerable areas. We are assessing the situation, and more than 200 pumps were already installed for water discharge in various areas.”
The incident has once again raised serious questions over the city’s monsoon preparedness and the effectiveness of its drainage infrastructure.
