Ctg low-lying areas waterlogged after 40 minutes of rain

Heavy rain that began in Chattogram this morning (19 June) left low-lying areas of the city waterlogged within 30 to 40 minutes, with several roads submerged under knee-deep to waist-deep water, causing suffering for people.

The brief spell of rain from around 8:30am inundated low-lying areas, including Chawkbazar, Katalganj and nearby neighbourhoods, where water accumulated on roads and created difficulties for pedestrians and commuters.

Waterlogging alleviation projects worth around Tk15,000 crore are being implemented in Chattogram under three agencies. Besides, Chattogram City Corporation has also been conducting regular drain and canal cleaning activities with much publicity.

Despite these measures, the general public expressed frustration as low-lying areas went underwater after a short spell of rain.

Salman Rahman, a resident of Katalganj who works at a private organisation, told The Business Standard, "I went out to buy groceries on this holiday and faced trouble. Rickshaws were not operating. Those that were operating were demanding higher fares.

"Water rises in this area whenever there is even light rain. It also does not recede easily. Even though projects worth thousands of crores of taka are being implemented, no result is visible."

Mahbubul Alam from the Chattogram weather office told TBS that only 6mm of rainfall was recorded in Chattogram until 9am.

However, due to the density of clouds, heavy rain occurred within a short period, he said.

He added that the sky will remain cloudy throughout the day, with the possibility of more rain at intervals.

Chattogram City Corporation Deputy Chief Conservancy Officer Pranab Kumar Sharma told TBS, "Waterlogging occurred here as there is a barrier in Hijra Khal due to the ongoing waterlogging project work. Water accumulated because of heavy rain and the tide. We worked on it. The water has now receded."