LUCKNOW, June 20 -- The first heavy spells of rain exposed the glaring gaps in Lucknow Municipal Corporation's (LMC's) pre-monsoon preparations.

Despite officials' assurances of monsoon readiness, people in several key areas of the city woke up on Friday to waterlogged roads and streets, bringing the effectiveness of weeks-long desilting works under scrutiny.

Qaiserbagh, Gomti Nagar Extension Sector 4, Shaheed Path, Jankipuram Extension, and Arjunganj were among the worst hit. Ironically, Qaiserbagh, where the Smart City office is located, was among the first areas to report waterlogging. Residential blocks and VIP zones also witnessed rain flooding, forcing people to wade through murky waters while commuting.

"Open waste dumping was o...