Waterlogging in Chattogram: A Vicious Cycle of Disaster and Misery

Waterlogging in Chattogram is a perennial planning failure driven by systemic institutional mismanagement, rapid loss of natural drainage channels, and compounding climate impacts.

Vast sums of money have been poured into various projects, yet the issue of waterlogging remains unresolved. According to the Meteorological Department, Chittagram city recorded the highest ever rainfall up to Tuesday afternoon in the last 42 years.

The record-breaking rainfall occurred just as four mega-projects worth Tk 14,250 crore, aimed at alleviating waterlogging in port city, were nearing completion.

These projects involved the renovation of canals and drains, as well as the construction of sluice gates, silt traps, pump houses, substations, roads, and footpaths. Although these facilities are not yet fully operational, it is not unreasonable to ask: to what extent will these projects actually help resolve the waterlogging problem?

The presence of multiple authorities in Chattogram has resulted in a clear lack of coordination among the agencies, fragmented project-based planning, and an absence of effective monitoring and accountability.

Although the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), City Corporation, WASA, and the Water Development Board operate in parallel, city residents are suffering due to the lack of coordination among them.

Residents of different areas are facing a various crises due to the waterlogging. In low-lying areas, sanitation systems have collapsed because toilets have become submerged in water.

The suffering of children, the elderly, and the sick due to the waterlogging has reached an extreme level.

As the Meteorological Department has stated that rain is likely to continue in Chattogram for a few more days, the situation there could deteriorate further.

On a positive note, twenty army teams, alongside various units from the Chattogram City Corporation and the Chattogram Development Authority, are working to alleviate the sufferings of people.

The weather office has also issued a warning regarding the risk of landslides due to the heavy rainfall.

We know that the encroachment upon canals and drains, unplanned urbanization, inadequate drainage systems, and a lack of regular maintenance are among the primary causes of waterlogging.

In this context, the rapid expansion of the city-alongside a lack of coordination among the relevant agencies in Chattogram-plays a significant role.

As the gateway to the nation’s economy, the recurring waterlogging in Chattogram is not merely a local issue; it poses a significant risk to the national economy as well.

In line with the government pledges, the ongoing projects must be completed as early as possible to alleviate public hardship. However, ensuring the success of these projects requires coordination among the service providers