Dhaka city has lost a combined length of 120km or 307 hectares of canals, which could have been waterways and vital drainage, thanks to encroachment, unplanned urbanisation and lack of maintenance by the authorities in the last 80 years.

Terrains that once birthed and nourished the city have now mutated into sullied, ominous urban risks.

And before waterlogging disrupts city life once again

The reckless manner with which canals have been grabbed and filled up in the capital city can be likened to choking the blood in arteries of a human being.