Floods in Lucknow

Lucknow is a city in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is located on the banks of the Gomti River, which is a tributary of the Ganges River. Lucknow has a history of being affected by floods due to heavy rainfall, river overflow, and breaches in the embankments. Here is a list of some of the major floods that have occurred in Lucknow:

• 1923 flood: Lucknow was one of the earliest recorded floods in the city's history. It was caused by heavy rainfall in the monsoon season, which made the Gomti River overflow its banks and inundate many parts of the city. The flood affected the old city, the civil lines, and the cantonment areas. It damaged property, crops, and infrastructure, and forced many people to take shelter in higher places. The flood also disrupted the communication and transportation systems, and posed a threat to public health and safety.
• 1960 flood: The 1960 Lucknow flood was a natural disaster that occurred in the city of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, India, in October 1960. It was caused by the overflow of the Gomti River, a tributary of the Ganges River, after heavy rainfall in the Himalayan region. The flood submerged almost half of the city under several feet of water, killing more than 16 people and making thousands homeless. It was one of the worst floods in Lucknow's history.

The flood affected various parts of the city, including the old city, the civil lines, the cantonment, and the main shopping centre. It also caused damage to the electricity supply, the zoological gardens, and many historical monuments. Elephants, bicycle rickshaws, and boats were used as means of transport in the flooded areas. The government deployed army units and helicopters to rescue the marooned people and provide relief materials. The water level dropped very slowly and no estimate was made of the total damage. The flood also coincided with a tidal wave that ravaged the mouth of the Ganges in Bangladesh, killing more than 3,000 people. The Gomti River, on which Lucknow is situated, is a northern tributary of the Ganges River.

• 1971 flood: The 1971 Lucknow flood was a natural disaster that occurred in the city of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, India, in September 1971. It was caused by two breaches in the embankment of the Gomti River, which flows through Lucknow before joining the Ganges River. The breaches were caused by the high water level of the river, which was six feet (about two metres) above the danger mark due to heavy rainfall in the monsoon season.

The flood submerged many parts of the city under three or four feet (one to 1.2 metres) of water, affecting the main shopping area, some fashionable residential areas, and the zoological gardens. The flood also disrupted the electricity supply, the communication and transportation systems, and the public health and safety. At least 13 deaths due to drowning were reported from Uttar Pradesh on September 7, taking the death toll in two months of rains and flooding in the state to 268. In Lucknow itself, a quarter of the city's area was under water on September 8. The government deployed army and civilian engineers to plug the breaches in the embankment and rescue the marooned people. More than 25,000 people were evacuated from the city in 24 hours and housed in 18 camps opened by the state government. Elephants, boats, and helicopters were used as means of transport and relief in the flooded areas. The flood also affected the animals in the Lucknow Zoo, some of which had to be placed on raised platforms or protected by sandbags and boulders.

• 2021 flood: This flood was a recent calamity that affected Lucknow and its surrounding districts. The flood was caused by continuous rainfall for several days, which increased the water level of the Gomti River and its tributaries. Many areas of the city were flooded, including roads, bridges, railway tracks, and residential colonies. The flood also affected the power supply, the water supply, and the health services. The authorities deployed boats, helicopters, and drones to evacuate people and provide relief materials.

See also

• List of floods
• List of deadliest floods
• Brahmaputra floods