Waterlogging increases in Ctg every year despite completion of 72% works of Tk143.90b projects

Water logging is increasing every year in the port city of Chattogram despite the completion of 72% of construction works of four ongoing projects at a cost of Tk143.90 billion to resolve the decades-old water logging problem here.

Among them, the largest project of CDA in cooperation of the Army's 34th Engineer Construction Brigade planned to dig 36 canals at a cost of Tk56.16 billion. The project cost has increased by more than Tk31 billion after its revision in November last year.

Apart from this, the Water Development Board has been spending Tk16.20 billion on the 'Chattogram City Flood Control, Water Submergence/Waterlogging Relief and Drainage Development' Project.

Incessant rains have caused flooding in different parts of the port city once again. Heavy rains have caused waterlogging in large areas of the city and upazilas, resulting in traffic jams in some areas.

Due to heavy rain, Waterlogging occurs in various parts of the city including Newmarket, Panchlaish, Katalganj, Chawkbazar, Muradpur, Shulakbahar, Gate No. 2, Baklia and Agrabad have been submerged under water.

Shops, business establishments and homes in the city are submerged in waist-deep water due to heavy rains. The people of the city suffered greatly.

Met office sources said, the active seasonal winds in the area have led to persistent rain in the city since Aug 16. It has rained continuously since Wednesday evening and the rain only intensified on Thursday morning.

The sources added that a warning has been issued for heavy rains which created panic about landslides in Chattogram and nearby areas, "However, there is no warning at the seaport as there are no stormy winds."

Various areas of the Fatikchari and Raozan Upazilas of the district have been flooded since Wednesday afternoon due to continuous rain.

At least 10 lakh people in 34 unions of these upazilas have become marooned. Considering the flood situation, 239 shelter homes and 290 medical teams have been kept ready.

Dr Mohammad Ilias Chowdhury, the district's Civil Surgeon, has ordered to prepare of a total of 290 medical teams from each union, Upazila and Sadar Hospital to deal with the situation amid risks of landslides, inundation and floods.

District Administration Assistant Commissioner Md. Fahmin Nabi said that considering the flood situation, 50 tons of rice has already been allocated on Thursday for the flood-affected people here.
He also said that there are enough stocks in our hand (medicines, saline, food saline, water purification tablets, etc.) to deal with disasters.

Patenga Meteorological Office in Chattogram said that 158.8 millimetres of rain had fallen in the last 24 hours till 3 pm on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rainfall in the Chattogram division under the influence of an active monsoon.

District Civil Surgeon office control room number 02333354843 will be open round the clock for any information consultation. The Civil Surgeon specifically requested to take necessary initiatives in the public interest to deal with any possible situation.