KCC forms committee to prevent water-logging

KHULNA, July 11: Khulna City Corporation (KCC) has formed a central committee and three sub-committees to identify and remove obstacles to rainwater drainage in an effort to prevent future water-logging in the city.

The decision was taken at an emergency meeting held at the GIZ auditorium of Nagar Bhaban on Saturday morning with KCC Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju in the chair.

Senior KCC officials and ward-level authorised officers attended the meeting.

At the outset, the KCC expressed regret to city residents for the public suffering caused by recent water-logging.

The meeting was convened following heavy rainfall on Thursday and Friday that caused water-logging in several parts of Khulna, similar to other cities across the country.

It focused on determining measures to address drainage problems in six affected areas of the city.

Addressing the meeting, the KCC administrator said inundation of several city areas after every spell of heavy rain was an embarrassing situation for the corporation and called for new initiatives to tackle the problem.

Referring to his field visit to six water-logged areas on Friday, Manju said water had receded quickly from most places, but drainage remained inadequate in the Mujgunni area.

He directed the authorities concerned to seek opinions from experts and citizens in formulating long-term solutions and instructed officials to remain more vigilant to prevent a recurrence of such situations.

The meeting decided to form a central committee headed by KCC Executive Engineer Sheikh Md. MasudKarim alongside three sub-committees focusing on the Mujgunni, Labanchara and Royal Morr (Intersection) areas.

Ward-level monitoring committees will also be formed to identify obstacles to water drainage and submit reports to the central committee.

Based on the findings, the KCC engineering department will take necessary remedial measures.

The meeting also instructed officials to ensure timely operation of sluice gates, remove obstructions from the drainage network, clean box culverts using jet machines, and keep excavators, trucks and other required equipment ready for emergency use.

The administrator also directed officials to assess the progress of the ongoing drainage project, determine its expected benefits after completion, and prepare new projects to expand the city's drainage network.

He urged city residents to refrain from dumping waste into drains and called on illegal occupiers to vacate drains and canals to facilitate smooth water flow.

Among others, KCC Chief Executive Officer Rajib Ahmed, Chief Engineer Mashiuzzaman Khan, Secretary Md. Reza Rashid, Chief Revenue Officer Rahima Sultana Bushra, Chief Planning Officer Abir Ul Jabbar, Budget and Accounts Officer Md. Moniruzzaman, Executive Engineer Sheikh Md. MasudKarim, Architect RezbinaKhanom, Conservancy Officer Md. Ohiduzzaman Khan and ward-level authorised officers attended the meeting.