LUCKNOW, Sept. 17 -- It didn't rain, it poured on Wednesday, and several key residential and commercial stretches of the state capital got waterlogged, exposing the Lucknow Municipal Corporation's (LMC) poor monsoon preparedness. Despite repeated assurances, waterlogging in both VIP areas and busy markets crippled Lucknow, leaving residents and commuters stranded.

Waterlogging was reported at Gokhale Marg, and the LMC headquarters in Lalbagh.

"Every year we are told that drains are cleaned before monsoon, but even a few hours of rain shows the reality. Waterlogging is now part of our lives," said Apoorv Bhargava, a resident of Gokhale Marg.

The route heading towards Jopling Road remained submerged for hours, forcing commuters to wade t...