Allahabad High Court Orders Emergency Pumping Of Rainwater From Waterlogged Prayagraj Areas

The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday ordered the Prayagraj administration to immediately pump out rainwater from low-lying areas of the city through Morri Gate, Daraganj, after water entered residents’ homes and created health hazards for children. Court said the affected areas should be made free of rainwater flooding within the next 24 to 48 hours and sought a status report on the situation.

A bench of Justices Ajit Kumar and Garima Prashad passed the direction after the Municipal Commissioner, Prayagraj, told the court about difficulties in pumping out accumulated rainwater through the Morri Gate, Daraganj pipeline. The bench permitted the Municipal Commissioner to take the emergency measure and directed the District Magistrate to ensure its implementation.

Why did the Allahabad High Court order emergency pumping of rainwater?

Court said the situation had become serious as rainwater had collected in low-lying areas and entered the houses of residents, causing “immense problems”, including health hazards for children living there.

“Since the flood water has been collected in these areas and has entered even the houses of the residents,” court directed that the accumulated rainwater be pumped out through Morri Gate, Daraganj.

The Municipal Commissioner had submitted that pumping out the water through the Daraganj pipeline was difficult in view of earlier directions issued by the court. He sought an interim direction to facilitate the pumping operation, saying this could help make the affected city areas free of rainwater flooding within 24 to 48 hours.

Court also directed that a report on the status of the rainwater-induced flooding be placed before it on August 20 i.e. today.

What has the court asked the UP government to do about Prayagraj waterlogging?

Court has sought an affidavit from the Director, Local Bodies, Government of Uttar Pradesh, explaining the plans laid out for Prayagraj to deal with flooding caused by rainwater.

The affidavit is to explain “in what manner plans have been laid for the city of Prayagraj” to relieve it from floodwater and flooding caused by rainwater. It has been directed to be filed on August 20.

The development comes a day after the same bench took suo motu cognizance of waterlogging in Prayagraj following incessant rain. In its August 18 order, court had noted that waterlogging was causing difficulties for judges in reaching the court and had resulted in delayed court sittings. It had also said that the situation was bringing business to a halt and causing “direct interference to the administration of justice".

Court had then directed the District Magistrate and Municipal Commissioner to appear and explain why advance measures were not taken to prevent waterlogging, particularly in low-lying areas. It had also sought a personal affidavit from the Secretary, Urban Development and Planning, on the plans approved to prevent the city from getting waterlogged during incessant rain.

Why were two suo motu proceedings clubbed?

The latest order records that the August 18 suo motu action was taken as Suo Motu Petition No. 33377 of 2026. Meanwhile, another suo motu petition, WPIL No. 2032 of 2026, had been initiated by a single judge of the high court.

The Chief Justice clubbed both matters and nominated them to the present bench, directing that they be placed before it on August 19.

Municipal Commissioner Seelam Sai Teja and District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma appeared before the court. The Municipal Commissioner said a “complete plan” had been rolled out and that an affidavit was being prepared. Additional Advocate General Manish Goel said the affidavit of the Secretary, Urban Development, would also be placed before the court on August 20.

Court directed the Municipal Commissioner to remain present on August 20. The District Magistrate was not required to appear on that date, though the court said he could be summoned on a future occasion if required.

Case title: In Re: Waterlogging in the City of Prayagraj v. State of U.P. through Secretary, Urban Development and Planning & 2 Others

Order date: August 19, 2026

Bench: Justice Ajit Kumar and Justice Garima Prashad