LUCKNOW, Oct. 5 -- The recent rise in the Gomti water level has prompted the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) to strengthen flood-prevention measures in its upcoming projects near the river. The authority plans to conduct an aerial survey to identify vulnerable areas and install additional infrastructure in place to prevent similar situations in the future. The LDA will conduct a drone survey of areas affected by the recent rise in the Gomti to assess water accumulation and identify vulnerable locations that could remain vulnerable during future rises in the river level. The findings will help officials finalise preventive measures for upcoming projects, including Wellness City and CG City. A senior LDA official has directed officials to carry out the aerial survey and prepare a detailed assessment of affected areas. The exercise will help the authority identify low-lying and vulnerable stretches and understand how river-water levels and surface runoff affected areas around the proposed schemes. The authority will use survey findings to plan drainage and water-evacuation infrastructure in these projects. The LDA is also examining the requirement for additional high-capacity pumping stations that can remove large volumes of accumulated water during extreme rainfall or when the Gomti rises sharply. Officials will assess the requirement and possible locations of such pumping facilities after analysing the drone survey findings and ground conditions. The authority intends to integrate these measures into project planning stage rather than depend solely on temporary or emergency pumping arrangements. The LDA plans to strengthen water-management arrangements in schemes located close to or along the Gomti. The authority will assess drainage capacity, water accumulation points and the need for additional pumping infrastructure while finalising project layouts and services. htc...