Sagar Biswas :
Water-logging problem has takes a serious turn in the recent days as most parts of capital Dhaka go under ankle-deep to knee-deep water even if there is a little rain. The situation goes beyond the control, if it rains from medium to heavy for some consecutive days.
Due to incessant rainfall on Friday, under the influence of cyclonic storm Komen, the city’s low-lying areas, including Shantinagar, Kakrail, Kalshi, Khilgaon, Malibagh, Kamalpur, Demra, Syedabad, Kazipra, Shewrapara and Shyamoli went under water for hours.
Waters are everywhere. Usually, water logging in many streets due to rainfall is a common phenomenon in Dhaka because of the unplanned and bad drainage system. As a result, most of the city roads turned into canals just within a short time yesterday.
Though unbelievable, the approach of the Mayor Hanif Flyover, the multi-billion taka project to keep the city free from traffic jam, went under knee-deep water causing immense sufferings to commuters.
A large part of the flyover, from Chankhar Poll to BUET, was flooded with rain water where motorized vehicles were franticly trying to cross the area upright applying full force of the engines. Several commuters found their transports under knee-deep water with collapsed engines and fought for an escape through a nagging condition. It was a bitter experience indeed!
Locals alleged that garbage and other materials kept piling by the transport businessmen beside the flyover have caused the water-logging on the flyover.
“The drains and manholes adjacent to the flyover have also been kept uncovered. So the solid waste is washed into the drains after rainfalls. Thus hundred crores of taka is wasted in the name of sewerage clean up,” Manjurul Haque, a local resident of Palsahi said.
Interestingly, the Dhaka WASA and the two city corporations — Dhaka North and Dhaka South — trade blame over the regular failure to keep the 360 square km capital free from water logging in rainy days.
It was learnt that a total of Tk 303 crore was spend in last four years of the project launched for reducing the water-logging problem of the capital city Dhaka. But it did not bring any fruitful result.
There is widespread allegation that a section of dishonest officials of DWASA in connivance with some corrupt contractors have swallowed the lion amount of the project money instead of completing sewerage project.
Experts said DWASA has presently 285 km drainage line although it requires around 350 km storm drainage line to tackle this kind of situation. And until and unless DWASA recovered its 26 canals there could be no improvement of the situation, they said.
Meanwhile, the incessant rain lashing capital Dhaka since Thursday late night disrupted normal life yesterday. All modes of transport, on road, rail and riverine routes, were badly hit due to the rains.
The downpour not only created traffic gridlock on the roads, but also shaped a hazardous situation as the sewerage system failed to control surge of water. It also created severe traffic gridlock as well as disruption in trade and business.
Due to incessant rainfall, the people shortened their outdoor activities. The rain virtually forced them to remain stranded in their houses though it was a weekly holiday yesterday for outing.
According to MET office, light to moderate rain/thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty/squally wind is likely to occur at most places over Khulna, Barisal, Chittagong, Sylhet & Dhaka divisions and at many places over Rajshahi & Rangpur divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over Dhaka, Khulna, Barisal and Chittagong divisions and moderately heavy falls at places elsewhere over the country.
Dhaka witnessed 46 mm rainfall in last 24 hours ending on 6:00pm yesterday. The highest rainfall was recorded 71 mm in Chuadanga while it was lowest 1 mm in Khulna. No rain was recorded in Rangpur, Dinajpur and Syedpur.
“There may be rain on Saturday [today], but it will be light rain as the influence of cyclone ‘Komen’ will be decreased by the time,” Md Shah Alam, Director of Meteorology Department, said.
Water-logging problem has takes a serious turn in the recent days as most parts of capital Dhaka go under ankle-deep to knee-deep water even if there is a little rain. The situation goes beyond the control, if it rains from medium to heavy for some consecutive days.
Due to incessant rainfall on Friday, under the influence of cyclonic storm Komen, the city’s low-lying areas, including Shantinagar, Kakrail, Kalshi, Khilgaon, Malibagh, Kamalpur, Demra, Syedabad, Kazipra, Shewrapara and Shyamoli went under water for hours.
Waters are everywhere. Usually, water logging in many streets due to rainfall is a common phenomenon in Dhaka because of the unplanned and bad drainage system. As a result, most of the city roads turned into canals just within a short time yesterday.
Though unbelievable, the approach of the Mayor Hanif Flyover, the multi-billion taka project to keep the city free from traffic jam, went under knee-deep water causing immense sufferings to commuters.
A large part of the flyover, from Chankhar Poll to BUET, was flooded with rain water where motorized vehicles were franticly trying to cross the area upright applying full force of the engines. Several commuters found their transports under knee-deep water with collapsed engines and fought for an escape through a nagging condition. It was a bitter experience indeed!
Locals alleged that garbage and other materials kept piling by the transport businessmen beside the flyover have caused the water-logging on the flyover.
“The drains and manholes adjacent to the flyover have also been kept uncovered. So the solid waste is washed into the drains after rainfalls. Thus hundred crores of taka is wasted in the name of sewerage clean up,” Manjurul Haque, a local resident of Palsahi said.
Interestingly, the Dhaka WASA and the two city corporations — Dhaka North and Dhaka South — trade blame over the regular failure to keep the 360 square km capital free from water logging in rainy days.
It was learnt that a total of Tk 303 crore was spend in last four years of the project launched for reducing the water-logging problem of the capital city Dhaka. But it did not bring any fruitful result.
There is widespread allegation that a section of dishonest officials of DWASA in connivance with some corrupt contractors have swallowed the lion amount of the project money instead of completing sewerage project.
Experts said DWASA has presently 285 km drainage line although it requires around 350 km storm drainage line to tackle this kind of situation. And until and unless DWASA recovered its 26 canals there could be no improvement of the situation, they said.
Meanwhile, the incessant rain lashing capital Dhaka since Thursday late night disrupted normal life yesterday. All modes of transport, on road, rail and riverine routes, were badly hit due to the rains.
The downpour not only created traffic gridlock on the roads, but also shaped a hazardous situation as the sewerage system failed to control surge of water. It also created severe traffic gridlock as well as disruption in trade and business.
Due to incessant rainfall, the people shortened their outdoor activities. The rain virtually forced them to remain stranded in their houses though it was a weekly holiday yesterday for outing.
According to MET office, light to moderate rain/thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty/squally wind is likely to occur at most places over Khulna, Barisal, Chittagong, Sylhet & Dhaka divisions and at many places over Rajshahi & Rangpur divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over Dhaka, Khulna, Barisal and Chittagong divisions and moderately heavy falls at places elsewhere over the country.
Dhaka witnessed 46 mm rainfall in last 24 hours ending on 6:00pm yesterday. The highest rainfall was recorded 71 mm in Chuadanga while it was lowest 1 mm in Khulna. No rain was recorded in Rangpur, Dinajpur and Syedpur.
“There may be rain on Saturday [today], but it will be light rain as the influence of cyclone ‘Komen’ will be decreased by the time,” Md Shah Alam, Director of Meteorology Department, said.
