Floods in Lucknow

Lucknow is a city in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, located on the banks of the Gomti River, a tributary of the Ganges River. The city has a history of being affected by floods caused by heavy rainfall, river overflow, and breaches in the embankments.

In 1923, Lucknow experienced a disastrous flood with an estimated discharge of 75,000 cusecs, severely affecting many low-lying areas. This was one of the earliest recorded floods in the city's history. It was caused by heavy rainfall during the monsoon season, which led the Gomti River to overflow its banks and inundate many parts of the city. The flood impacted the old city, civil lines, and cantonment areas, damaging property, crops, and infrastructure, and forcing many people to seek shelter in higher places. It also disrupted communication and transportation systems and posed a threat to public health and safety.^[1] ^[2]

The 1960 Lucknow flood was caused by the overflow of the Gomti River following heavy rainfall in the Himalayan region. After the 1923 flood, the Buttergani area was protected by the construction of a marginal embankment. However, in 1960, this area was severely affected as water breached two points in the embankment, allowing approximately 30,000 to 40,000 cusecs of water into the low-lying areas. The flood submerged almost half of the city under several feet of water, marking one of the worst floods in Lucknow's history.

The flood impacted various parts of the city, including the old city, civil lines, cantonment, and main shopping center. It also damaged the electricity supply, zoological gardens, and many historical monuments. Elephants, bicycle rickshaws, and boats were used as transportation in the flooded areas. The government deployed army units and helicopters to rescue stranded people and provide relief materials. The water level receded very slowly, and no estimate was made of the total damage. The flood coincided with a tidal wave that struck the mouth of the Ganges in Bangladesh on October 16, 1960, killing more than 3,000 people.^[3]

The 1971 Lucknow flood was caused by two breaches in the embankment of the Gomti River. These breaches occurred because the river's water level was six feet (about two meters) above the danger mark due to heavy monsoon rainfall. The flood submerged many parts of the city under three to four feet (one to 1.2 meters) of water, affecting the main shopping area, some residential neighborhoods, and the zoological gardens. It also disrupted electricity supply, communication and transportation systems, and posed risks to public health and safety.

On September 7, at least 13 deaths due to drowning were reported in Uttar Pradesh, bringing the total death toll from two months of rain and flooding in the state to 268. In Lucknow itself, a quarter of the city's area was underwater by September 8. The government deployed the army and civilian engineers to repair the breaches in the embankment and rescue stranded people. More than 25,000 people were evacuated from the city within 24 hours and housed in 18 camps set up by the state government. Elephants, boats, and helicopters were used for transportation and relief in the flooded areas. The flood also affected animals in the Lucknow Zoo, some of which had to be placed on raised platforms or protected by sandbags and boulders. The 1971 flood was the second highest on record in Lucknow, with a discharge of 107,000 cusecs.^[4]

The 2008 Lucknow flood was a natural disaster that occurred in August 2008, caused by the overflow of the Gomti River after heavy monsoon rainfall. The flood submerged several parts of the city, affecting more than 100,000 people and killing at least 15. It also damaged property, crops, and infrastructure. The state government declared Lucknow one of the 11 districts affected by the floods and deployed army units and helicopters to rescue and provide relief to the affected people.

The rainfall raised the water level of the Gomti River above the danger mark of 8.5 meters (28 feet) in Lucknow. The river also received water from its tributaries, such as Sai, Kathana, and Kukrail. The flood situation was exacerbated by the city's inadequate drainage system, which could not handle the runoff from urban areas. Encroachment on floodplains and wetlands by illegal constructions further reduced the river's natural capacity to absorb excess water.

The flood primarily affected low-lying areas along the Gomti River, with the worst-hit areas including Daliganj, Nishatganj, Aminabad, Chowk, Thakurganj, Alambagh, Rajajipuram, and Indira Nagar. Floodwaters entered many houses, shops, offices, schools, hospitals, and religious places, forcing people to evacuate or seek shelter on rooftops or higher ground. The flood also disrupted power and water supplies, communication, and transportation systems, with many roads and bridges damaged or submerged, making them impassable. Additionally, the flood posed a threat to public health and safety due to waterborne diseases and electrocution risks.

Mariyam, who experienced the devastating flood of 2008 in her native city of Lucknow, described the impact on her neighbors, who had to cope with the loss of their homes and belongings, the disruption of essential services, and the risk of diseases and injuries.^[5]^[6]

In 2021, a flood struck Lucknow and its surrounding districts, which raised the water levels of the Gomti River and its tributaries. Many areas of the city were inundated, including roads, bridges, railway tracks, and residential colonies. The flood also disrupted power and water supplies, as well as health services. Authorities deployed boats, helicopters, and drones to evacuate people and provide relief materials.^[7]