Incessant rains: Parts of Chattogram city go under water

Despite repeated assurances from the authorities concerned on ending waterlogging, parts of Chattogram city witnessed severe waterlogging today as in previous years.

Witnesses said incessant rains since morning inundated different parts of the port city.

Important roads in Chawkbazar, Jamal Khan, Agrabad, Boro Pole, Choto Pole, Halishahar, Patenga, EPZ, Prabartak intersection, Bahaddarhat, Muradpur, Bakolia, Sholoshohor, Dampara and many low-lying areas got waterlogged, causing immense sufferings to the city dwellers.

Those who left their homes for work in the morning were the worst sufferers as rainwater entered many vehicles, creating traffic jams on the city streets.

Talking to UNB, some of the residents said there is no respite from waterlogging as the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) is still reluctant about resolving the problem.

They also blamed the city corporation for the waterlogging.

Tajul Islam, a bank official, said, "I couldn't go to office as I got stuck in knee-deep water for hours."

He said a long-term plan is desperately needed to develop the city to mitigate the public sufferings.

Abdur Rashid, a resident of the Bakolia area, said, "It seems that the authorities have no concern for public sufferings."

According to the local met officer, 30.8 mm of rainfall was recorded in the city from 9 am yesterday to 9 am today, and the rain is likely to continue for a few more days.

Soibal Das, Councilor of Jamalkhan Ward, said "A project is being implemented to end the waterlogging problem. Rainwater cannot pass through the canal as the project could not be completed yet. As a result, the low-lying areas of Jamalkhan Byline, Dewanji Pukur, Gitanjali Colony, Askar Dighi Par and Kazir Deuri got flooded."

He, however, said there is no scope to avoid the responsibility and they were thinking how quickly they can mitigate the sufferings of people."