Heavy rain floods Benapole Land Port, imported goods submerged

Several storage sheds of Benapole Land Port, the country’s largest land port, experienced waterlogging following two days of continuous rainfall, leaving imported goods partially submerged and raising concerns among importers.

Traders blamed poor drainage and inadequate water management for the recurring flooding, saying water entered multiple warehouses and damaged imported goods awaiting clearance.

Heavy rain has continued in the area since Thursday afternoon, inundating five storage sheds near Gate No. 3 of the port.

In some places, water has accumulated up to knee level.

Port authorities have been using power pumps to drain the water, while officials and port users inspected the affected areas on Saturday.

Port users alleged that despite the construction of sheds, yards and other infrastructure, poor drainage facilities have resulted in frequent waterlogging during rainfall, putting imported goods worth hundreds of crores of taka at risk.

They also claimed that although local stakeholders have repeatedly highlighted various management shortcomings, little effective action has been taken by the authorities.

They said around 100 importers have suffered financial losses over the years due to damaged goods, while the absence of insurance coverage means they receive no compensation.

They further alleged that a committee formed to address the drainage problem has remained largely inactive.

Businessman Abdul Alim said inadequate drainage has disrupted movement inside the port, while rainwater entering several warehouses has damaged goods belonging to importers.

“Port charges continue to increase every year, but there is no corresponding improvement in infrastructure. Most facilities were built without long-term planning, leading to recurring waterlogging during the monsoon,” he said.

Vice-President of the Benapole Import-Export Association Aminul Haque Anu blamed unplanned development and the lack of an effective drainage system for the situation.

He said the government collects around Tk 10,000 crore in direct and indirect revenue annually through customs at Benapole, making it unfortunate that such a major commercial hub continues to face the same problem year after year.

He also alleged that repeated complaints by traders over rainwater damaging imported goods have failed to produce any meaningful response from the authorities.

Benapole Land Port Director Shamim Hossain acknowledged that continuous rainfall has caused water to enter several sheds, damaging some imported goods.

He said power pumps are being used to remove the accumulated water, although uninterrupted rainfall has slowed the process.

He expressed hope that the situation would improve once the rain stops and said the port authority is working on a permanent solution to the recurring waterlogging problem.