Monsoon coming, no solution to Dhaka’s waterlogging in sight

With monsoon coming Dhaka dwellers brace for the same old problem: waterlogging.

No effective measure has been taken yet for a comprehensive solution to the long-standing hazard of the mega city.

Experts said a coordinated master plan involving all relevant agencies should have been taken to drain out rainwater from the city roads.

The two city corporations claimed that waterlogging will be less this year as drain, box culvert construction and canal dredging activities are going on for smooth drainage of stagnant rainwater.

Talking to UNB some city dwellers voiced their worry over the waterlogging problem in the upcoming monsoon.

Md Rahimullah, a resident of Moghbazar area, said “Digging of city roads by different service agencies are going on. Movement on these roads will become difficult as these usually get waterlogged after a little rain during monsoon.”

“We have to suffer a lot,” he lamented.

Mamataj Begum, a housewife of Malibagh area, said “I need to go to Tejgaon to drop and pick up my children to and from a school there. There work on a mega project is going on and the whole area turned inaccessible due to the construction work.”

“I fear a dreadful situation will arise there in the upcoming monsoon due to waterlogging.”

City corporations’ steps to end waterlogging

The Dhaka North and South City Corporations have identified 146 spots where rainwater usually gets accumulated on roads.

According to the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), 104 places prone to waterlogging have been identified. Of these, repair work in more than 99 spots has been completed.

Apart from this, drain, box culvert and canal cleaning activities are underway to reduce waterlogging in the remaining spots.

At DSCC, more than 32 areas are extremely prone to waterlogging- Paltan, Shantinagar, Bailey Road, Kakrail, Gopibagh, Kamalapur, Tikatuli, Agasadek Road, Agamasi Lane, Abdul Hadi Lane, Eskaton Road, Bangabandhu Avenue Awami League Central Office Area, Bangladesh Secretariat,, New Market, Bata intersection, Jhigatala, Nazim Uddin Road, Nawabganj Park, Azimpur, Road adjacent to KM Das Lane, RK Mission Road and Abhay Das Lane Gopibag Bazar Road and some areas of Old Dhaka.

According to the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), there are 103 waterlogging-prone areas under DNCC.