Capital Dhaka is flooded with rainwater, city dwellers are suffering

Like various districts of the country, the capital Dhaka has not seen any sun all day today. The rain that started in the morning has not stopped yet. Initially, the rain was light to moderate, but in the afternoon it turned into heavy rain. Knee-deep water has accumulated in various areas of the capital, causing waterlogging, which has increased the suffering of the common people including office workers who are staying at home.

On Thursday (May 29) night, it was seen on the ground that water accumulated in New Market Gate No. 2, Chandrima Market, Hawkers Market, Azimpur, Bangla Motor and several surrounding areas. The sky was cloudy since morning and the heavy rain that started after noon continued, covering the main areas of Dhaka city with knee-deep water. This problem has been observed in almost all places including Dhanmondi, Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Badda, Malibagh, Rampura, Moghbazar, Gulshan, Banani, Uttara, Shantinagar, Karwan Bazar, Old Dhaka.

The water has reached knee-deep under the Hawkers Market and New Super Market, due to which shopkeepers are facing huge losses. Md. Sajid, owner of Asma Saree in Hawkers Market, said, “Every time it rains, our business suffers a lot. There is no effective solution, only assurances are given. There was no business all day today, Eid is coming, but no one is coming to buy considering the situation.”

The situation is even more miserable for pedestrians. Muttakim Ahmed said, “We have to cross water and mud to go home, carrying shoes in our hands. There are potholes on the road, I am afraid of slipping.” The transportation crisis has also added to the suffering. Due to the rain, public transport, rickshaw, CNG and bike ride sharing services have been limited, making it difficult for people living far away to return home. Women in particular are facing great difficulties in returning home by bus.

As the water has reached knee-deep in the Azimpur BGB Gate No. 2 area, some are commuting by rickshaw and some by van. The common man has to spend 20-30 taka per person to travel from New Market Post Office to Bir Shrestha Abdur Rouf School and College. Students also face difficulties due to water accumulating in front of the main gate of Dhaka College during the monsoon. Student Naeem Islam said, “Even with a little rain, the main gate of the campus gets submerged, there is no space to walk. The previous responsible persons have neglected their duties, now I hope the matter will be resolved with seriousness.”

It has been reported that work has been started by the City Corporation to drain the water. However, effective steps and measures to be taken to drain the water quickly have not yet been seen. A member of the City Corporation said, “Since the market is closed, we hope the water will go down by night, we have already started work.”

The Meteorological Department said that the low pressure formed in the Bay of Bengal has now turned into a depression. Although it has not taken the form of a cyclone, there is still a risk of heavy rain. It has been warned that heavy rains may continue in the coming days.

Such waterlogging incidents occur in Dhaka city during the rainy season throughout the year. Due to unplanned urbanization, inadequate drainage system and lack of quick action, the city dwellers are not getting relief from waterlogging. It will not be possible to get rid of this problem without a sustainable and long-term plan.