Chattogram sinks again under heavy rain

Chattogram residents have once again faced severe waterlogging following heavy rain, raising fresh questions about years of spending on drainage and development projects in the port city.

“I have been driving a rickshaw in this city for 12 years. I have seen the government carry out projects, but the waterlogging has not decreased. What was the point of spending all that money?” rickshaw driver Md Ibrahim said while wading through knee-deep water in Agrabad on Monday.

Residents, office-goers and business owners in Agrabad and Pathantuli reported severe suffering as knee- to waist-deep water inundated roads across the city.

Pathantuli resident Sazzad Rakib said waterlogging had become a regular problem for city residents despite development work continuing throughout the year.

“If there is even a little heavy rain, the suffering increases. Fares rise several times, while many roads are already damaged. The city is gradually becoming unliveable,” he said.

Office-goer Rocky Haider said he had to wear a lungi instead of trousers to reach his workplace through the water.

“If this is the condition of the country’s commercial capital, where are people supposed to go?” he said.

Businessman Mosharraf Hossain said water had accumulated both around his home and workplace, while transport fares had increased sharply.

“What is the benefit of so much development if roads are still under waist-deep water?” he asked.

Continuous heavy rain since Sunday night brought Chattogram to a standstill on Monday. Knee- to waist-deep water was reported in several areas, including Bahaddarhat, Bakalia, Chawkbazar, New Market, Reazuddin Bazar, Kapasgola, Kataltganj and Rahattar Pul.

The Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury Flyover was also affected, with water accumulating on the structure and cascading down onto the road, disrupting traffic.

Patenga Meteorological Office recorded 189mm of rainfall in Chattogram in the 24 hours until 9am Monday, including 81mm between 6am and 9am, according to forecasting officer Md Ismail Bhuiyan. He said rain could continue for another two to three days due to the low-pressure system and active monsoon.

The city’s Amabagan weather office recorded 167mm of rainfall during the same period, including 81mm in the three hours from 6am.

The heavy rain severely disrupted traffic, with office-goers and students among those worst affected.

Rahattar Pul resident Khadija Jannat Sujon said the water had risen further by Monday morning after raining throughout the night.

“Every year we suffer the same way during the monsoon, but there is still no permanent solution,” she said.

Residents of Bakalia and Bahaddarhat also reported difficulties travelling to work and educational institutions.

The ongoing gas shortage has compounded the problem by reducing the number of public vehicles on the roads. Many CNG-run auto-rickshaws remained off the streets due to the lack of gas, worsening the transport crisis amid the waterlogging.

Heavy rain has also affected nearby upazilas. Residents of Char Khijirpur-Satgariapara in Boalkhali have reported prolonged waterlogging throughout the monsoon, disrupting the movement of students and pedestrians.

Residents have called for immediate drainage of accumulated water and effective long-term measures to permanently address the city’s chronic waterlogging.

SKS