Continuous heavy rain causes water-logging in Pabna town

PABNA, July 13: Due to continuous heavy rain over the past few days, several areas of the Pabna Municipal area are experiencing significant water-logging. 

The drainage system has collapsed, preventing the quick outflow of water, resulting in streets and houses being flooded. Pedestrians and townies are facing major difficulties due to these conditions.

According to the Ishwardi Meteorological Department, Pabna recorded 195mm of rainfall over eight days from 4 to 12 July. As a result, water overflowed from drains onto roads and into houses, making it difficult for vehicles and pedestrians to navigate safely.

Several areas, including Shivrampur Buffalo Depot, Kalachandpara, Shalgaria, Atua Mor, Beltala Road, and Gopalpur are particularly affected by the flooding. The water rises even with a small amount of rain, and while it recedes after two or three days, the repeated flooding continues to cause hardship for residents.

Residents, such as Himel Rana of Shalgaria, expressed frustration, stating that the municipal authorities have neglected to renovate the drainage system, leading to frequent flooding. Salim Hossain, a businessman from the Mujahid Club area, added that water-logging has closed businesses and restricted movement. At the same time, auto-rickshaw driver Sohel Mia noted the dangers of driving on submerged roads, where potholes cause accidents.

In response, Pabna Municipality Executive Engineer Nazmul Haque acknowledged that garbage accumulation and rising soil levels in the drains contribute to the flooding and emphasized the need for regular cleaning. He also noted that parts of the drainage system need renovation and new construction.

Pabna Water Development Board (WDB) Supervising Engineer Sudhanshu Kumar Sarkar shared that a project to dig the Ichamati River and its connecting canals, supervised by the army, is ongoing. This project, expected to be completed by June 2027, aims to prevent future water-logging in the district.

While visiting different areas of the town, this correspondent found that Abdul Hamid Road, the busiest in the district headquarters, Pabna College Road, Newmarket area, Dilalpur Road, Kalachandpara, Boro Bazar area, Beltola Road, Shalgaria, and several other places were in knee-deep water. “Most of the drains are filled with waste materials. That's why the rainwater cannot get away, causing this water-logging,” Municipal Inspector Md. Nurul Alam Biswas Lintu said. Around 25 workers have been engaged in the municipality area to remove the water-logging, Lintu said. However, residents of the municipality blamed poor management and a lack of drain cleaning for the water-logging.