The nonstop torrential rains from Thursday afternoon to Friday evening submerged most of the low- lying areas of the port city of Chittagong with knee-deep to waist-deep water causing immense sufferings to the port city residents.
Many roads and houses went under knee-deep water while the most slum houses in the low-lying areas had been washed away. A large number of the fish cultivation hatcheries were badly affected by flash
flood water accompanied by ebb tide of the sea.
Stagnant rainwater hit the Oxygen, Hamjar Bagh, Muradpur, Aturar Depot, Bahaddarhat, Shulakbahar, Katalganj, Nasirabad, Baizid, 2 No. Gate, Sholoshohor, Chawkbazar, Panchlaish, DC Road, Khwaja Road, Chandgaon, Mohra, Bakalia, Chaktai, Rajakhali, Dewanbazaar, Doublemooring, Agrabad, Chhotopool, Boropool, CDA, Halishahar, Pahartoli, Sharaipara, Shagorika and Patenga areas most.
The traffic movement in most of the areas, particularly at Halishahar, Barapool, Chotapool, Muradpur, Sholashahar and Nasirabad, remained suspended till Friday afternoon, rickshaws and auto-rickshaws were totally stranded, the ground floors of the low-lying areas and posh areas being submerged properties were damaged, the wholesalers and retailers of essential commodities at Chaktai, and Khatungonj and of other kitchen markets could not trade and shops were closed.
Many vehicles remaining out of roads, devotees bound to Jumma prayers., Office-goers and day labourers faced problems to go to their respective destination.
Port sources said that the loading and uploading of containers loaded with food products were halted due to the heavy rain.
Patenga Weather Office Forecast Officer Bishwajeet Choudhury said that 326.2 milimeters of rainfall were recorded in last 24 hours. The heavy rainfall may continue due to monsoon, he added. Bureau of Meteorology warned the areas adjacent to North Bay of Bengal and predicted further downfall. A windy weather may visit for a while in the coastal areas, the Bureau added.
Maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar and Mongla have been advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal three. All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice.
