Ara: Showers for around 10 hours on Wednesday turned Ara into a floating town and also exposed the tall claims of the Ara Municipal Corporation to keep the town clean.

The rain brought cheer for farmers while it caused misery and hardship for town dwellers. With most of the low-lying areas waterlogged, normal life was paralysed compelling the residents to remain indoors. The rainwater also entered the business establishments and houses. The rain forced shopkeepers to down their shutters.

Rain water is reported to have entered many houses in Katira, Pakari, K.G. Road, M.P. Bagh, Old Police Line, Bind Toli, Syndicate, Mirganj, Awarpur, Gausganj, Ramgarhia, Maulabagh, Hari Jee Ka Hata, New Police Line, Pakari, Karman Tola, Badi Mathia, Station road, Patel Bus Stand and other areas.

Sheesh Mahal Chowk, Gopali Chowk, Mahavir Tola, Sheoganj, Shital Tola, and DT Road are waterlogged and a foul smell has started emanating from the drains. A transformer and an electric pole fell to the ground while a number tress were uprooted till the time of reporting.

The residents of Ara complained that their ward councillors seldom bother to carry out cleaning of the drains in their respective wards. They said woman councillors are rarely seen and their husbands are active in their place. They alleged that whenever anyone complained regarding cleaning of the ward or drains, these ward councillors' husbands bulldoze them.

"You only soil your clothes while buying vegetables in the market," said Neha Kushwaha, a housewife.