Rangpur city inundated after nonstop rainfall

Incessant rain throughout early Monday caused waterlogging in most areas of Rangpur city.

Hundreds of people in the city found themselves stranded due to the waterlogging.

Streets, lanes, by-lanes, and houses were submerged from knee- to waist-deep water. According to Rangpur Met office sources, heavy rain lasted for about eight hours, from 1am to 9am on Monday, causing city dwellers severe suffering.

Assistant Director of Rangpur Met office Mostafizur Rahaman said some 265mm rainfall was recorded during the last 24 hours. On September 27 last year, a record 433mm rainfall inundated most parts of the city.

After Monday’s rain, many families in the city left their homes and took shelter in their relatives’ houses.

Mohammad Masum, a resident of Mohadebpur area, said he, along with his family, had to shift to his relative’s home as his house was waterlogged.

The drainage system as well as the canals Shyma Sundari and KD Canal of the city became almost flooded while the rush of water overflooded the drains connecting the canals.

The low-lying areas went underwater. Croplands and ponds were also flooded. The low-paid people suffered the worst as they could not work.

Alam Miah, a van puller and a resident of Robertsonganj area, said he could not go out for work and his house had been waterlogged. “I have not yet bought any food for my family due to a shortage of money,” he also said.

Many city dwellers blamed the unplanned drainage system for the waterlogging, saying they had experienced this type of rainfall for the second time in the last two years.

Rangpur City Corporation Mayor Mostafizur Rhaman said rainwater in some areas of the city had not receded due to heavy rainfall during the last 24 hours.

“The construction of drainage systems is going on fast in every ward. We instructed all ward councillors to take care of the vulnerable people,” he added.