Prolonged rainfall submerges Bagerhat town, thousands in distress

Continuous heavy rainfall since Sunday night has left Bagerhat town severely waterlogged, disrupting daily life and trapping thousands in their homes and businesses.

Major roads, alleys, homes, and commercial establishments across the town are submerged, with knee-deep water reported in most areas.

During the visit to the area today (8 July), major streets such as Khan Jahan Ali Road, Rail Road, Sadhanar intersection, Shaltala, PTI intersection, Khardar School Road, district hospital intersection, and areas near the district post office, Mitha Pukurpar intersection, and the municipality building were all under water.

Schools and health centres, including Jahanabad Secondary School Road and the Mother and Child Welfare Centre, were also affected.

Many households and shops have been flooded, with transportation severely disrupted. Rickshaw-pullers, day labourers, and low-income residents are facing the worst of the crisis.

Md Shahin, a rickshaw-puller, told The Business Standard, "I've made less than Tk50 since morning. It's hard to move the rickshaw in this water and there are hardly any passengers."

Jasmine Akhter, a resident, said, "Water has entered our house. We can't light the stove, and my young son has caught a cold from being soaked."

Shopkeeper Firoz Sheikh said, "My shop is flooded. I've struggled to move my goods, and business is down. I'm counting losses."

Firoz further said, "The waterlogging isn't limited to Bagerhat town. Low-lying areas in Morelganj, Sharankhola, Mongla, Rampal, and Kachua upazilas are also experiencing severe flooding.'

"Many fish enclosures in these regions have overflowed, leading to significant loss of stock," he added.

Responding to the situation, Bagerhat Municipality Administrator Dr Fakhrul Hasan told TBS, "Several infrastructure projects are underway in the town. Once completed, the suffering will ease. Plans are being prepared to tackle the waterlogging problem more effectively."