Heavy rainfall for the last two consecutive days under the influence of deep convection formed over North Bay caused serious disruption in civic life, port and businesses activities in the Chittagong city. The coastal regions of Chittagong were swept by a wind-driven surge by 2-3 feet above the normal tide, official sources said. Patenga Meteorological office measured 109mm of rainfall in last 24 hours ending at 6:00pm on Friday which is the highest rainfall this year.
A total of 222.8mm of rainfall was recorded by the met office in last 48 hours ending 6:00pm on the day.
The heavy downpour accompanied by gusty wind began Wednesday night and continued intermittently till Friday evening.
There was serious dislocation in normal public life, port activities as well as all sorts of business activities due to incessant rain that triggered heavy water stagnation in most parts of the city.
The loading and unloading of bulk-cargoes in at least 37 ships at the country’s premier port Chittagong remained temporarily suspended owning to heavy rain while operational activities in container handling was normal, port secretary Sayed Farhad Uddin said.
However, the flight operation in Chittagong Shah Amanat International Airport was as usual.
Heavy rainfall created water stagnation in many areas even in some comparatively upper parts of the city including Lalkhan Bazar, Pahartali, Bahaddarhat, Muradpur, Chandgaon, Shulakbahar, Bakalia, Patharghata, Asadganj, Korbaniganj, Chaktai, Nasirabad, Patantuli, Madarbari, Agrbad, Halishahar causing immense suffering to the people living in those localities.
Witnesses said that many city areas went under knee-deep water during the rainfall and residences and business establishments in some low-lying areas were submerged by rainwater.
Transport problems in the heavy shower caused untold sufferings to the commuters. Rickshaw pullers and three-wheelers were seen demanding extra fare from the commuters taking advantages of the bad weather and thin traffic.
-With New Age input
