Woes of waterlogging

Sheikh Iraj

Waterlogging is nothing new for Dhaka dwellers. For decades the issue of waterlogging and the reasons behind it have been extensively reported in the mainstream media. There have been numerous talks, explanations, and speculations between experts and concerned bodies to irradiate this suffering of the people. However, there appears to be no noticeable progress, and any suggestion on this matter looks to fall on deaf ears. From time to time, we hear promises that we are soon going to overcome the waterlogging problem, but those promises only remain promises. Recently an 85 mm rainfall in just three hours caused major waterlogging in the capital. Naturally, people suffered and started complaining and making trolls on social media. It will be unwise to underestimate the trolls.

A few years back a leading Pakistani politician commented on how there will be more waterlogging if there is more rain, which instantly became viral on social networking websites. Causing much discomfort for the politician and his party members. The Covid 19 situation has already given us enough reasons to be dolorous about, and a mere three hours of rain causing massive waterlogging does not help the mindset to improve. I was walking through the pavement at Kawran Bazar when suddenly a car rushed through beside me creating a puddle splash. Now it would have left me wet from the clogged rainwater in the street, mixed with the world of dirt. Fortunately, I was wearing a raincoat, but the people behind me were not. Needless to say, people who were behind me were angry and confused, as they didn't know who to hold responsible.

A few months back when the two city corporations took control of the drainage system and canals of the capital from Wasa, there was hope among the people. We even saw the mayors visiting different sites and addressing the problem head-on. People thought they might see some real changes taking place after all these years. It would be wrong to say the authorities concerned are not working to solve this problem, however, people want to see faster results. People want to know why we are unable to solve this problem, why we are ineffectual to clean and get control over the canals? Do we have clear, practical and elaborate planning of the future drainage system of Dhaka, let alone other cities of the country? The sad truth is, there seems to be no concrete answer to these questions, nor any abrupt solution in sight.  

Sheikh Irajis the Editorial Assistant at The Business Post