Khulna, Chattogram submerged within hrs

Heavy rainfall has once again exposed the persistent drainage and water management challenges in Bangladesh’s major cities, with widespread waterlogging reported in both Khulna and Chattogram.

Roads, homes, businesses and public spaces were submerged following relatively short periods of rain, causing severe disruption to daily life and prompting renewed criticism of existing drainage infrastructure despite ongoing improvement projects.

In Khulna, heavy rainfall on Thursday afternoon triggered extensive waterlogging across the city, inundating major roads and low-lying neighbourhoods. According to the Khulna Meteorological Office, 58 millimetres of rainfall were recorded between 3:00pm and 7:00pm, including an hour of intense torrential rain.

The downpour left homes, shops and roads submerged in areas such as Royal Mor, Baitipara, KDA Commercial Area, Moylapota, Rupsha Ferry Ghat, Boyra Bazar, Baghmara, Mistri Para, Tutpara, Basupara, Mujgunni Road, Yusuf Ahmed Road, Notun Rasta Mor and Bastuhara Colony.

Knee-deep water accumulated in many locations, significantly slowing traffic and leaving numerous vehicles stranded after water entered their engines.

Khulna City Corporation Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju apologised to residents through a Facebook post on Friday, acknowledging the suffering caused by the waterlogging. He said authorities had identified key drainage problems and were working on long-term solutions.

Commuters, office-goers and students faced major difficulties as roads became impassable and traffic congestion spread across the city. Many residents were forced to wade through knee-deep water to reach their destinations.

Shahin Didar, an easy-bike driver stranded near PTI Mor, said floodwater entered his vehicle’s motor, forcing him to abandon trips and push the vehicle to safety.

“I lost today’s income, and now I’ll also have to pay for repairs,” he said.

Businesses also suffered losses as customers avoided flooded markets and water entered shops in low-lying areas. Md Shariful Islam, a trader at Boyra Bazar, said business came almost to a standstill during the afternoon as customers turned back due to the waterlogged conditions.

Residents blamed recurring waterlogging on inadequate drainage maintenance. Sheikh Ashraf-Uz-Zaman, president of the Greater Khulna Development Coordination Committee, alleged that clogged drains, damaged drain covers and encroachment on the Mayur River and 22 canals have significantly reduced the city’s natural drainage capacity.

Meanwhile, in Chattogram, low-lying areas were submerged within just 30 to 40 minutes of rainfall on Friday morning, despite ongoing waterlogging alleviation projects worth around Tk15,000 crore being implemented by three government agencies.

Rain that began around 8:30am inundated areas including Chawkbazar, Katalganj and surrounding neighbourhoods, leaving roads under knee-deep to waist-deep water and causing considerable hardship for pedestrians and commuters.

The Chattogram City Corporation has been conducting regular canal and drain cleaning activities, but residents expressed frustration that even a brief spell of rain was enough to flood large sections of the city. Salman Rahman, a resident of Katalganj, said transportation was severely disrupted as many rickshaws stopped operating while others demanded 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,” he said.

According to the Chattogram weather office, only 6 millimetres of rainfall had been recorded until 9:00am. However, officials said dense cloud cover caused intense rainfall within a short period, leading to rapid water accumulation.

Meteorologists warned that the sky is expected to remain cloudy throughout the day, with further intermittent rainfall likely.

The waterlogging incidents in both cities have reignited concerns over urban drainage systems and the effectiveness of ongoing infrastructure projects, as residents continue to face recurring disruption and economic losses during the monsoon season.