N’ganj city struggles with severe waterlogging

Staff Correspondent :

Narayanganj city came to a standstill due to severe waterlogging caused by continuous heavy rainfall. On Thursday morning, relentless downpour submerged almost every part of the city under water.
Several hours of heavy rain from morning to afternoon flooded major roads like Bibi Road, as well as narrow lanes and residential areas, with knee-deep water. The waterlogging has completely disrupted everyday life. Daily wage earners and office-goers were among the worst affected.
In many neighborhoods, the accumulated rainwater has created a flood-like situation. Due to the water reaching knee-level, vehicular movement on the city’s main roads has come to a halt. Most vehicles are stuck-some with waterlogged engines, others like auto-rickshaws have run out of battery power-leaving working-class people in distress.
A visit to areas like Chasara, Deobhog, Baburail, Khanpur, Banglabazar, and Nitaiganj in the afternoon showed rickshaws being pushed manually in some places, while elsewhere auto-rickshaws and motorcycles had broken down completely. Even major roads like Bibi Road were impassable due to stagnant water.
A commuter stranded at Chasara intersection said, “The rain stopped quite a while ago, but the water is still there. I can’t find a rickshaw to go home-I’m forced to walk through water-filled roads.”
It’s not just the streets-many homes and shops have been flooded with filthy drain water. Ground floor apartments and businesses have been affected. In several areas, electricity supply has been cut off for safety reasons.
Sohel Mia, a rickshaw puller from Deobhog, said, “My battery has run out, and I can’t even get back to the garage. Water has gotten into the battery. Now I have to push the rickshaw back. No work today.”
Although the water level receded slightly by evening, traffic in many parts of the city had yet to return to normal. After office hours, many people were seen walking through knee-deep water with their bags slung over their shoulders. Some wrapped themselves in plastic sheets and started for home in the rain.
According to Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC), poor drainage and unplanned urban development are to blame for such conditions every monsoon. However, no long-term solution has yet been implemented.
Currently, a 7-kilometer waste and stormwater drainage system is under construction in the city, of which 3 kilometers have been completed so far.
An NCC official, speaking anonymously, said, “Most of our drains are clogged. People throw waste into them, which is a big issue. But once the new drains are completed, there should be no more waterlogging in the city.”
NCC Administrator H.M. Kamruzzaman expressed regret over the public suffering and said the city corporation is working hard to complete the drainage project as soon as possible.
However, no specific timeline was given for when the problem will be fully resolved. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has forecast continued rainfall over the coming days, raising concerns that the hardship for city residents may worsen.