Several pockets of Bidanasi remain waterlogged a week after the cyclone in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Oct. 18: Resentment is brewing among residents as several localities at Bidanasi continued to reel from waterlogging even a week after the city witnessed heavy rain under Phailin’s impact.

The problem has assumed serious proportions at Kumbhar Sahi and other nearby localities due to lack of a proper drainage system.

“It is over a week that we have been trapped in homes as the locality is inundated with rain and drain water,” said local resident Gitanjali Das.

Gitanjali said waterlogging was a regular feature here as it took around 15 to 20 days for the accumulated water to get dried up. There is no proper drainage system for smooth passage of the accumulated water, she said.

Local residents blame lack of proper planning on part of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation. They feel that the civic body should initiate measures to drain out the accumulated water. Besides, the residents fear that there might be an outbreak of various waterborne diseases and an increase in mosquito population.

“We have made several requests to the local councillor of ward No. 1 to pump out the stagnant water, but in vain,” said another local resident Prakash Dakua.

Councillor of ward No. 1 Nirupama Hati said that already three motor pumps had been engaged to flush out water from various localities at Bidanasi.

“We will shortly deploy a motor pump near Kumbhar Sahi to resolve the inundation problem there,” she said.

Women carry polythene sheets to rebuild their shelters in Ganjam district. Picture by Gopal Krishna Reddy

Similarly, bad road conditions are also haunting the residents of Bidanasi. “We have been demanding for better roads at Bidanasi, especially near the Modern Public School as the stretch is dotted with potholes, which results in frequent waterlogging,” said another resident Raj Bimal Das.

Hati said proposals had been finalised for repair and reconstruction of Bidanasi roads for Rs 3 crore, while steps were also being taken to improve the existing drainage systems.