Workers employed by the Katihar Municipal Corporation on Friday dig up drains in Salamat Nagar to get rid of the accumulated water in the town. Drains were dug between Prem Nagar and Azad Nagar, Azad Nagar and Salamat Nagar and Monidhar and Larkania, so that the water could be drained out to a nearby open area. The decision was taken after the civic body’s efforts to drain out the accumulated water using pumps failed. Residents of Salamat Nagar, Prem Nagar, Anathalaya Road, Mohanidhar, Larkanea, Kulipada and Sarifganj areas had been living in waterlogged conditions for months. The Telegraph highlighted the problem in its September 5, 2014 edition. However, Friday’s work received mixed responses from the people. Salamat Nagar resident Mohammad Nazre Alam said: “The civic body should try to find a permanent solution for us. District magistrate Prakash Kumar reviewed the waterlogging condition before temporary drains were dug up at different points. Once the water recedes, there would be the threat of water-borne diseases. So, the administration must pay attention to it.” Katihar mayor Vijay Singh said: “We would soon try to look for a permanent drainage system.” Text by Jitendra Kumar Shrivastava, picture by Debashish