Drain water flows across the road near Hindi High School in Sambalpur. Telegraph pictures

Sambalpur, Sept. 4: Heavy downpour, along with clogged drains, has created havoc in the city today. Rainwater entered into residential areas and commercial buildings in several places of the city. Sewage was even seen flowing on city streets because of choked drains.

Nayapara Hindi High School area was one such location where wastewater was flowing on road. “Because of heavy rainfall last month, drain water had flown into the school campus creating serious trouble for students and staff. This is a regular phenomenon here. The civic authority has never taken any remedial measures to solve this problem by desilting the choked drains,” said Sushanta Sahu, a local resident.

Similarly, wastewater was flowing on the main road in front of Reserve Line at Laxmi Talkies Chowk.

“Laxmi Talkies Chowk is the heart of the city. But because of negligence of the civic authorities, the drain water was flowing over the main road here. The municipality should remove silt from the drains here immediately. Otherwise, a little rain will continue to cause waterlogging here,” Sahu said.

“Wastewater entered into my shops. The drains here have remained choked for long. But the municipality is not serious about removing silt from the drains here. It should take immediate desiltation initiatives to check such kind of incidents. Garbage also remains dumped on roadsides for long, resulting in chocking of drains,” said a shopkeeper.

Wastewater was flowing on the road near Ashoka Talkies as well. Sewage entered into many houses in Housing Board Colony. Same was the situation in several other parts of the city. Sewage also flew into commercial and residential areas of Khetrajpur.

“Such kind of waterlogging and overflowing of wastewater happen because of civic negligence. Most of the drains in the city are clogged and the civic authority has not undertaken any desiltation activities,” said Narayan Bag, a local resident.

“Choked drains let wastewater flow on city streets. In several parts of the city, drain water has flown into the shops and houses. I have instructed health officer of Sambalpur Municipality to visit the residential and commercial areas where wastewater has overflown. We will undertake drain desiltation activities as well,” said Subash Chandra Sethia, executive officer of Sambalpur Municipality.