A NEWS report in The New Nation on Friday said Chittagong is going under the sea bringing to the fore how the port city is being devastated by waterlogging aggravated by tidal surge in the rainy season. A rise in sea level at this time resists the release of water to rivers running to the sea. Other cities in the country like metropolis Dhaka are also suffering from acute waterlogging during monsoon paralyzing life and business.
But the Port city is facing the spectacular problem because the city canals are not working properly to discharge water. Moreover lack of enough dredging of rivers and canals and absence of sluice gate at most canal head has left the city vulnerable to encroachment of sea water to worsen waterlogging situation. The city needs special plan to fight it.
The Port city experienced severe rainfall over the last three days. It left most city blocks and business districts inundated submerging ground floor of buildings and disrupting communication. People were helpless as they tried to face the situation.
Many blame incessant rainfall for the disruption in the city life but one can’t lose sight to the fact that it is the lack of proper planning and leadership of the City Corporation officials who have so far failed over the years to develop a comprehensive drainage and sewerage system. They have failed to take into account that the city and its outskirts are surrounded by hills which blocks quick discharge of rainwater while sea level rise and tidal surge regularly inundated new areas to add to people’s miseries.
We know that the Chittagong City Corporation has huge annual budget but it is no secret that most money for drainage projects is being misused and grabbed by City Corporation officials, Commissioners and Contractors who are always busy to launder money instead of running any project properly. So real development is not taking place except making tall claims about it.
We believe to save the Port city from waterlogging, and similar environmental crisis more far-reaching plans and dedicated leadership are what is important to achieve results, There is no doubt, high tech equipment is needed for dredging rivers and canals but it is not the technology but the leadership that matters. Partymen and political hoodlums who operate around the city corporation are the biggest obstacle to execute any project properly and we believe the system must change. Moreover we believe that the government must take waterlogging in the port city seriously without solely leaving it to local leadership.
It is really a matter of concern that over 900 coastal villages in the district are suffering now from water logging from nearly a month-long monsoon rain and the rise in sea level is blamed for blocking quick disposal of water to rivers.
We want to emphasize Chittagong city needs special plan to face special situation that no other city is facing. The tidal issue must dominate any plan to mitigate the problem.
But the Port city is facing the spectacular problem because the city canals are not working properly to discharge water. Moreover lack of enough dredging of rivers and canals and absence of sluice gate at most canal head has left the city vulnerable to encroachment of sea water to worsen waterlogging situation. The city needs special plan to fight it.
The Port city experienced severe rainfall over the last three days. It left most city blocks and business districts inundated submerging ground floor of buildings and disrupting communication. People were helpless as they tried to face the situation.
Many blame incessant rainfall for the disruption in the city life but one can’t lose sight to the fact that it is the lack of proper planning and leadership of the City Corporation officials who have so far failed over the years to develop a comprehensive drainage and sewerage system. They have failed to take into account that the city and its outskirts are surrounded by hills which blocks quick discharge of rainwater while sea level rise and tidal surge regularly inundated new areas to add to people’s miseries.
We know that the Chittagong City Corporation has huge annual budget but it is no secret that most money for drainage projects is being misused and grabbed by City Corporation officials, Commissioners and Contractors who are always busy to launder money instead of running any project properly. So real development is not taking place except making tall claims about it.
We believe to save the Port city from waterlogging, and similar environmental crisis more far-reaching plans and dedicated leadership are what is important to achieve results, There is no doubt, high tech equipment is needed for dredging rivers and canals but it is not the technology but the leadership that matters. Partymen and political hoodlums who operate around the city corporation are the biggest obstacle to execute any project properly and we believe the system must change. Moreover we believe that the government must take waterlogging in the port city seriously without solely leaving it to local leadership.
It is really a matter of concern that over 900 coastal villages in the district are suffering now from water logging from nearly a month-long monsoon rain and the rise in sea level is blamed for blocking quick disposal of water to rivers.
We want to emphasize Chittagong city needs special plan to face special situation that no other city is facing. The tidal issue must dominate any plan to mitigate the problem.
