Incessant rainfall, since the early hours on Sunday, threw life out of gear, submerging many parts of the capital, and other places in the country. The rainfall and the resulting water-logging caused utmost suffering to city residents, particularly those in the low income groups. The met office recorded the highest rain of 214 mm in Teknaf, while 122 mm of rain was recorded in Dhaka, which is the highest in the capital, so far this year. The weather office also recorded 121 mm in Sandwip, and 102 mm in Kutubdia, in the 24 hours till 6am on Sunday.
“Because the monsoon is active over Bangladesh and strong over the northern parts of the Bay, moderate rain or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, are likely to occur over the next two days at places over Dhaka, Barisal and Chittagong divisions,” said Abdur Rahman, an official of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
The torrential downpour inundated various parts of the metropolis, including Mirpur, Kazipara, Shewrapara, Mohammadpur, Bijoy Sarani, Motijheel, Kamalapur, Moghbazar, Malibagh, Mowchak, Badda, Nayapaltan, Kakrail and Shantinagar, causing severe water logging. Commuters experienced immense hardship since most modes of transport were unavailable.
Some cars broke down on the flooded streets, as they were unable to negotiate the sudden onrush of rainwater, which caused water-logging. The clogged drains were unable to flush out the rainwater, causing water to accumulate very quickly. It created many problems for the people, especially women and children. Some of them had to wade through knee-deep water, in the low-lying areas of the city.
Many of them complained that drivers of rickshaws and CNG-run auto-rickshaws charged them extortionate fares, taking advantage of the inclement weather.
Abul Kashem, a resident of Mirpur, said, “Water has submerged both sides of the road, from Mirpur-10 to Kazipara. Even the dividers of the road have gone under water, in some places. As a result, it was difficult for me to reach my office in Motijheel.”
“Since there is a shortage of buses, the CNG-run auto-rickshaws are charging more than Tk. 50 above the usual fare,” he complained.
Many CNG-run auto-rickshaws even refused to take passengers to different areas, including Mohammadpur, Mouchak, Malibagh and Motijheel. They said their vehicles would not be able to cope with the water-logging in
those areas.
The wet weather also caused trouble for legions of day labourers, garments workers, and the homeless. The rain has also hampered business in the capital, ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. The hawkers of the makeshift shops on the footpaths failed to sell most of their wares before Eid, and expressed apprehensions that if such inclement weather continues, it could affect their business and cause heavy losses.
Many people attributed the water-logging in the capital to the absence of a proper and adequate drainage system, the poor functioning of sluice gates, and the apathy of the authorities concerned.
During the showers, ongoing road repair works, including digging, as well as potholes and open manholes on both sides of the roads disrupted vehicular movement, causing severe traffic congestion.
The existing drainage system can flush out only 20 mm of rainwater every hour. Normally, it takes six hours for the water to pass through the existing drainage system. But, many of the drains are clogged because sewerage wastes such as polythene, plastics, cans and other materials have been dumped in them, according to sources in the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA).
-With The Independent input
