Remal's wrath triggers waterlogging, transport disruptions in Dhaka, Ctg
A pedestrian died in Ctg when a wall collapsed on him due to heavy rain
Cyclone Remal unleashed heavy downpours in the country today, causing widespread waterlogging and transport disruptions in Dhaka and Chattogram causing residents immense sufferings.
As the cyclone's effect was felt earlier in Chattogram than in Dhaka, the port city saw the storm weakening by afternoon. However, rainfall continued throughout the day in the capital causing waterlogging and a shortage of public transport.
According to the Met Office, Dhaka received 151mm of rain in the last 24 hours till 6pm today.
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In the morning, Dhaka woke up to heavy rain and strong winds. This led to severe flooding on the roads, making it difficult for residents to commute, especially during the morning rush.
Students and office goers were particularly affected, as they had to pay much higher fares than usual for transportation. Commuters travelling from Uttara to Motijheel faced additional difficulties as the metro rail service was temporarily closed.
Haseeb, a college student from Dhanmondi, said he had to pay more than Tk300 for a ride that usually costs Tk182 due to the rain. "Still, I had to wait more than an hour to get a ride."
Ishaq Ali, who owns a rickshaw garage on Green Road, said out of 80 rickshaws, only 15 drivers were available in the morning. By noon, 20 more drivers came out, but still, less than half of the rickshaws were operational.
Rayhan Sharif, a bike rider for Pathao, said the roads were impossible to navigate due to waterlogging. Despite passenger demand, he didn't venture out because both the driver and the vehicle are at risk of falling.
Dhaka South City Spokesperson Abu Naser said 91 teams with five workers each have been deployed to tackle the waterlogging. Besides, a hotline has been set up to assist residents.
Meanwhile, there were also traffic disruptions due to trees uprooting along roads and dividers.
Lima Khanom, duty officer at the fire service control room, said a unit was addressing the issue in Panthapath and Doel Chattar areas.
In Dhaka airport, 10 international flights had to be cancelled due to bad weather. Additionally, two flights were disrupted, and one had to return after takeoff. Passengers from these three flights were accommodated on alternative flights.
One killed in Ctg
Heavy rainfall caused flooding in low-lying areas of Chattogram city, including Halishahar, Pahartali, GEC, Gate No 2, Muradpur, Bahaddarhat, Baklia, Chawkbazar, Bayezid, Muradpur, Katalganj, Bahaddarhat, and Sholokbahar this morning.
According to the Met Office, Chattogram received 205.4mm of rain in the 24 hours from 9am Sunday to 9am Monday. Notably, 132mm of this rainfall occurred in just three hours between 6am and 9am on Monday.
A pedestrian named Saiful Islam Ridwan, 26, died in Chandra Nagar residential area of the city when a wall collapsed on him due to heavy rain at around 8am.
Sanjoy Kumar Sinha, officer-in-charge of Bayezid Bostami police station, said Ridwan died on the spot. The body was recovered and sent to Chittagong Medical College Hospital.
Normalcy returning in port city
Flights at Shah Amanat International Airport were suspended for 17 hours from 12pm on Sunday to 5am on Monday.
Group Captain Taslim Ahmed, director of the airport, told TBS that the airport's activities were normalised from 5am and flights resumed as per schedule.
Also, traffic resumed in the Bangabandhu Tunnel after 17 hours. The four floodgates at both ends of the tunnel were closed at 6pm on Sunday due to the weather.
Bridge Authority Executive Engineer Md Nazrul Islam told TBS that the tunnel reopened for traffic around 11:30am.
Meanwhile, authorities were working to return ships to Chittagong Port as the weather improved with the day progressing.
On Saturday, unloading at the outer anchorage was halted, and open cargo ships were sent to the deep sea. On Sunday morning, ships at the jetty were also moved to the deep sea.
Chittagong Port Authority Secretary Md Omar Farooq told TBS that efforts to bring back the 19 ships sent to the deep sea began on Monday. Besides, 49 open cargo ships are being brought back to the outer anchorage.
