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Download PDF Heavy downpour for most of the day yesterday sent many areas in the city under ankle- to knee-deep water, meaning immense sufferings to the residents, particularly the office-goers and students.
According to the Met office, moderate to heavy rain across the country has been brought on by monsoons, and it is likely to continue till July 5.
Dhaka received 67mm of rainfall between 6:00am and noon yesterday while the highest rainfall during the same period was recorded 73mm in Kutubdia.
The ceaseless deluge that began the previous night turned much of the capital into a swamp, disrupting life and trade. Commuters were the worst sufferers as traffic remained stuck for hours in long tailbacks.
Public utilities digging up roads added to their plight. CNG-run three-wheelers breaking down for water getting in exhaust pipes compounded traffic jams on the arterial roads and crossings including Mouchak, Kakrail, Karwan Bazar, Bijay Sarani, Fakirapool, Paltan, Dainik Bangla, Rampura and Rokeya Sarani.
Office-goers and students struggled to find vehicles in the rain beating down for most of the rush hours. Many had to wade knee-deep through water and muck leaked out of sewers to reach destinations.
Rickshaws were in great demand in places where motorised vehicles were few in number.
Taking advantage of the rain-lashed conditions, many rickshaw pullers and CNG drivers charged the passengers more than twice the usual fare.
Raihan of Kazipara said, “I had to pay Tk 15 for a rickshaw ride that usually takes not more than Tk 5.”
Nurjahan, a garment worker in Pallabi, said, “I had to walk through waist-deep water to be at work this morning.”
Anwar, a private firm employee, said he failed to show up at his workplace in Karwan Bazar by 12:30pm and missed an emergency appointment as his motorcycle had stopped moving in water at Gulistan.
Badda, Demra, Madartek, Basabo, Manda, Trimohoni, Gulistan, Shantinagar, Monipuripara, Shewrapara, Kazipara, Mirpur-10, Pallabi, Mohammadpur, Manik Mia Avenue, roads near Azimpur graveyard, Tongi Diversion Road, parts of old town and DND area were the worst affected in waterlogging, which is a common sight for the city residents even in moderate rain.
Urban experts blame it on unplanned urbanisation, absence of proper sewerage system and indiscriminate filling of the natural waterbodies.
They suggest formulating a comprehensive drainage plan as well as a master plan for city development to rid the capital of waterlogging. As immediate measures, they recommend retrieving the canals grabbed by influential quarters and excavating those afresh.
An official of Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) said the primary cause of waterlogging in the city is inadequate and outdated drainage system. A proper drainage system connecting drains and sewers with waterbodies such as ponds, lakes and canals is a must to spare the people of sufferings during the monsoons.
An official of Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) said the storm sewerage lines and surface drains of both Wasa and DCC do not function properly for lack of cleaning and contribute to waterlogging.
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