Residents in Chattogram, Cumilla, and several other areas are experiencing significant disruptions due to continuous heavy rainfall caused by low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.
The relentless downpour has led to severe waterlogging in various parts of these cities, with some areas submerged in knee-to-waist-deep water, posing serious challenges for the working population.
Despite billions of taka being invested in waterlogging mitigation projects, the anticipated benefits have yet to be realised.
According to the Chattogram weather office, 112 millimetres of rain were recorded in the last 24 hours as of 9:00 am today, with an additional 31 millimetres falling since then.
In Cumilla, the Meteorological Department reported 61 millimetres of rainfall over the last 24 hours.
Zahirul Islam, a forecast officer at the Chattogram weather office, attributed the rainfall to active monsoon conditions, which are expected to persist for another two days. Along with the ongoing waterlogging, there is also an increased risk of landslides due to the heavy rainfall.
Despite ongoing projects by the Chattogram City Corporation, the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), and the Water Development Board (WDB), totalling Tk 11,344 crore over the past five years, the waterlogging issue still needs to be solved.
The heavy rain has caused substantial waterlogging on roads in areas such as Mohammadpur, Muradpur, Panchlaish, Katalganj, Chawkbazar, Sholokbahar, Number 2 Gate, Bakalia, and Agrabad in Chattogram. In some of these areas, water levels have reached waist height.
In Cumilla, waterlogging has also been reported in various parts of the city, including Nazrul Avenue, BSCIC Road, and the Chanpur area.
