LUCKNOW, Sept. 1 -- Roads turned into pools, footpaths vanished under water and rainwater crept towards homes as heavy rain battered the state capital on Tuesday, once again exposing the civic shortcomings of a city billed as a Smart City. Across Lucknow, from VIP stretches in Gomti Nagar to residential pockets in Indira Nagar and Jankipuram Extension, waterlogging disrupted movement, while a road cave-in in Chinhat added to the monsoon woes.

Several important and VIP roads were submerged during the downpour, affecting vehicular movement and making it difficult for commuters to navigate the affected stretches. In several localities, rainwater accumulated outside homes and entered residential premises, disrupting normal life.

Road cave-i...