Lack of drainage system leaves 1,000 families water-logged at Sonargaon

SONARGAON, NARAYANGANJ, Sept 30: More than 1,000 families in Patatta Village of Kanchpur Union in Sonargaon Upazila have been suffering from prolonged water-logging, with even light rain leaving homes, roads, shops and a mosque submerged.

Residents said the lack of a proper drainage system has left them water-logged for a long time. They are also increasingly suffering from waterborne diseases, while the number of dengue cases in the area has reportedly risen.

Locals said a large waterbody beside Patatta Village was filled with sand to make way for the Kanchpur bus terminal. As a result, rainwater can no longer drain properly, leaving the village submerged even after light rainfall.

The stagnant water has entered homes, shops, roads and the mosque. Residents fear that more than 1,000 families could face permanent water-logging unless a proper drainage system is introduced.

Locals said there was no such water-logging in the village in the past. The problem started after the area was filled for the bus terminal. With no proper outlet for water, roads, shops, homes and mosques become inundated after even a small amount of rain.

Residents often have to use irrigation pumps to remove the water.

During a recent visit to the area, this correspondent found rainwater accumulated in the yards of almost every house.

Residents had made makeshift walkways using sandbags, tree trunks and cement slabs to move around. The area in front of the mosque was also submerged.

Asma Begum and Nargis Akter, residents of Kanchpur Patatta Village, said roads and homes become flooded after even a little rain.

“We have been suffering like this for a long time. Water entered our shop after the rain over the past two days and damaged our goods. My son has been suffering from fever for four days after sitting in water while selling goods at the shop,” they said.

They also said their children were unable to attend school and demanded immediate construction of a drainage system.
Lutfar Khandaker, a BNP leader, said local representatives and the administration were aware of the problem.

“Most of the village remains submerged for much of the time. Students have to wade through water to go to schools and madrasas. Walking through the water for a long time causes fever, itching and skin diseases. When the water rises, household waste mixes with the stagnant water on the roads,” he said.

Aslam Hossain Kabir, a local resident, said the development of industrial establishments around Kanchpur had blocked many drainage canals after they were filled with sand.

“That is why the village is now suffering from permanent water-logging. Even when water is pumped out for several days, it does not recede from the roads. Effective steps by the administration are urgently needed,” he said.

Mozammel Khandaker, another affected resident, said water accumulates after light rain but cannot drain away, turning temporary water-logging into a permanent problem.

“People are increasingly suffering from mosquito-borne and waterborne diseases. People are being diagnosed with dengue almost every day. It seems the administration will only pay attention to the problem after someone dies of dengue,” he said.

Kanchpur Union Parishad acting chairman Md Shah Alam said a project had been submitted to the upazila authorities for construction of a drainage system in the village.

“I hope the project will be implemented soon,” he said.

Sonargaon Upazila Nirbahi Officer Asif Al Jinat said he was unaware of the matter.

“Given the large population and size of the area, it is not possible to implement a drainage system immediately with a small budget. However, I will discuss the matter with the local chairman and take further steps,” he said.