The ongoing spells of showers have brought Cuttack city to its knees. Even as the Millennium City is yet to witness the monsoon rain in its real form, it has found itself struggling with the water logging problem.
Even a brief spell of shower inundates the Silver City. As of now, the low-lying areas in the city are waterlogged. While knee-deep drain water is flowing on the roads, in places, the drain water has also entered houses, leaving the residents at their wit's end. They have ascribed the present situation to the ongoing Box Drain work by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Makarabag area.
“The problem we are facing today without any rain is due to the JICA work,” alleged Surati Pattanayak, a resident of Makarabag area.
Another resident of the locality, Sangita Sharma said, “Our locality is inundated with drain water, forcing us to stay indoors. Even milkmen and vegetable sellers have stopped visiting our locality.”
The JICA is carrying out the Box Drain work by closing smaller drains in the locality. As a result, in low-lying areas, the disposal of surplus rainwater is affected.
Cuttack Municipal Corporation Mayor Subash Singh admitted that the ongoing Box Drain work has led to the present problem the residents of Makarabag area are facing.
“It is the resultant effect of the Box Drain work. Since such a big project is underway, water logging issue will arise. We are trying to drain the water out in half an hour,” said Singh.