The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday directed the Municipal Commissioner and District Magistrate, Prayagraj, to ensure that rainwater accumulated in the city's low-lying areas is pumped out through Morri Gate, Daraganj, amid severe waterlogging following incessant rain.

A Bench of Justice Ajit Kumar and Justice Garima Prashad passed the direction while hearing a suo motu petition concerning waterlogging in Prayagraj.

The Bench also directed the Director, Local Bodies, Government of Uttar Pradesh, to file an affidavit explaining the plans laid down to relieve the city from rainwater and flooding caused by rain.

The direction came after the Municipal Commissioner, Seelam Sai Teja, submitted that difficulties were being faced in pumping out rainwater collected in low-lying areas through the Morri Gate and the Daraganj pipeline.

He sought an interim direction as an emergency measure to facilitate the pumping out of accumulated rainwater, stating that this could help keep the affected areas free of flooding within 24 to 48 hours.

The Court accordingly permitted the Municipal Commissioner and directed the District Magistrate to ensure that the accumulated rainwater was pumped out through Morri Gate, Daraganj.

"Since the flood water has been collected in these areas and has entered even the houses of the residents, causing immense problems, including health hazard issues to the children residing in the houses, we permit the Municipal Commissioner and so direct the District Magistrate to ensure that rain water collected in these low-lying areas, causing flood in the areas, is pumped out through Morri Gate, Daraganj", the Court observed in its order.

The Court directed that a report regarding the status of the flood situation caused by rainwater be placed before it on August 20.

It may be noted that on Tuesday, the High Court intervened suo motu in the severe waterlogging crisis in Prayagraj caused by incessant rain.

The Court had directed the District Magistrate and Municipal Commissioner to appear and explain why advance measures had not been taken to prevent waterlogging, particularly in low-lying areas.

The Bench had also directed the Secretary, Urban Development and Planning, Uttar Pradesh, to file a personal affidavit explaining the plans approved to ensure that the city does not get waterlogged due to incessant rain.

The Court had noted that the situation was bringing business to a halt and causing difficulties for Judges in reaching the Court, resulting in “direct interference to the administration of justice.”

Separately, Justice Siddharth Nandan had taken suo motu cognizance of the non-implementation of the policy under the December 20, 2024 Government Order for preparation of a 'Drainage Master Plan', along with the failure of civic amenities in Prayagraj.

That proceeding recorded submissions regarding severe waterlogging in several parts of the city, including George Town, Tagore Town, Allahpur, Alopibagh, Bairahna, Rambagh and Preetam Nagar. It was also brought to the Court's notice that advocates and their clerks were unable to reach Court and that case files had been damaged because of the waterlogging.

The Court observed that preventing advocates and their clerks from reaching Court and the destruction of case records “directly affects the Administration of Justice.”

The matter has been listed for August 20, 2026.