Heavy rain once again inundated low-lying areas of the port city, causing severe hardship for office-goers, schoolchildren and residents.

Rain that began on Sunday night triggered extensive waterlogging in several areas, including Katalganj, Panchlaish, Agrabad Commercial Area, Pathantuli and Kapasgola, by Monday morning.

Floodwater submerged roads and lanes, leaving residents stranded and disrupting normal movement across several neighbourhoods.

Patenga Meteorological Office Forecasting Officer Mohammad Ismail Bhuiyan told the Daily Sun that 201mm of rain was recorded in the city in the past 24 hours till 12 noon.

“The rain is expected to continue for another 48 hours,” he said.

During a visit to Chawk Bazar in the morning, this correspondent found the busy area submerged under waist-deep water. The Chawk Super Market and nearby shops were also flooded.

Some office-goers were seen standing on the seats of rickshaws while trying to cross flooded roads. Some others were walking along road dividers to reach their destinations.

Residential areas were also submerged under knee to waist-deep water. Most roads in Panchlaish Residential Area, Katalganj Residential Area and Chandgaon Residential Area remained under water until noon.

Patients and their relatives faced further hardship after floodwater entered Chattogram International Hospital in the Shamsherpara area.

Ahmad Musa, a resident of Kalpolok Residential Area, brought his wife and child to the hospital.

He said he had been trying to reach the hospital since 7am, but failed.

“Water from the adjacent Birja Canal has entered the hospital. Patients are suffering immensely,” he said.

Waterlogging in front of several schools also left many parents stranded while taking their children to school. Many students could not attend classes due to a shortage of transport.

Notably, four projects involving around Tk14,500 crore are being implemented to address Chattogram’s chronic waterlogging. 

The Chattogram Development Authority, Chattogram City Corporation and Bangladesh Water Development Board are implementing the projects, which are nearing completion.

Yet, with knee-deep to waist-deep water once again inundating large parts of the city following heavy rain, questions have resurfaced over the effectiveness of the projects.

SM/CitizenTimes