Abdul Alim :
Old Dhaka’s all streets, lanes, bylanes recently have gone under knee-to-waist-deep water after torrential overnight monsoon rainfall.
After two days of heavy rain, many roads in the city have woken up, but the Old Dhaka is still under water, leaving city dwellers in a miserable situation.
Heavy rain inundated different city areas, including Bongshal, Nazirabazar, Chawkbazar, Islambagh, Mitford, Armanitola, Kayettuli, Agamasi Lane, Shaheednagar, Chawkbazar, Imamganj and Babubazar areas.
Busy roads in the Old Dhaka were submerged obstructing movement for several hours.
It was difficult to continue plying for the vehicles; some passengers go to a dry place in another city parts boarding rickshaw vans.
Many roads, lanes and bylanes of the areas were still under water even on Wednesday following a downpour.
Most of the shops in the roadside were flooded with rainwater in Old Dhaka. Zakarul Islam, who came to AB Bank
at North South Road in the morning, said: “I live in Keranigonj. Water has inundated the Old Dhaka streets and lanes. We have been facing huge trouble since early morning.”
“Water entered the ground floor of every shop in this area,” he added.
Showpon Ahmed, a rickshaw puller from Nazirabazar, said the entire of Old Dhaka has been flooded. There is no suitable transport for movement here except rickshaws.
According to Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), 150mm of rainfall was recorded since Tuesday, the highest in the monsoon, leaving commuters in trouble.
However, overnight monsoon rainfall, once again exposed the dilapidated state of the city’s drainage system.
Experts said that the Dhaka’s waterlogging problem could not be solved without an integrated master plan and coordinated work of the authorities concerned.
Dr. AKM Saiful Islam, Professor of Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM) in BUET told The New Nation, “WASA, City Corporation and many other authorities deal with Dhaka’s drainage system without proper coordination.”
He said, “Now the water level of the river is much above the danger level. So the city’s water has to be drained by submersible pump.”
“Water Development Board pumps out the rainwater from retention areas to rivers, he added.
“We will not achieve anything until five government organisations and two private bodies work under an integrated management with an integrated master plan,” said Iqbal Habib, Joint Secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon.
He said canals of Dhaka belong to the Deputy Commissioner Office and RAJUK, but they are maintained by Dhaka WASA.
On the other hand, two city corporations maintain surface drains while underground drains are maintained by WASA.
