Shahariar Islam Sovon :
Large parts of Dhaka city were left submerged once again on Tuesday following several hours of heavy rainfall, exposing the capital’s long-standing waterlogging problem and raising fresh concerns about the effectiveness of urban drainage systems.
From early morning, torrential downpours inundated key roads and low-lying areas, severely disrupting daily life, vehicular movement, and business operations.
Commuters were seen wading through knee-deep water in areas such as Motijheel, Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Badda, and parts of Dhanmondi. In several zones, stagnant water remained for hours, causing traffic standstills and accidents.
“I missed an important meeting because my rickshaw got stuck in water near Panthapath,” said Arif Hossain, a private service holder. “This happens every year, and nothing changes.”
The Dhaka North and South City Corporations deployed emergency response teams to clear clogged drains, but officials admitted the efforts were hampered by poor waste management and unplanned urban development.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, Dhaka recorded over 70mm of rainfall between 6am and 12pm. Forecasts indicate more showers in the coming days, sparking fears of prolonged urban flooding.
Urban experts blame outdated infrastructure and inadequate maintenance for the recurring crisis. “Dhaka’s drainage capacity has not been upgraded in line with its population and construction growth,” said Dr. Nazrul Islam, an urban planning expert. “The problem will persist unless there’s a comprehensive overhaul of drainage networks and stricter control on illegal construction.”
Residents have called on authorities to take swift and long-term action, rather than seasonal quick fixes.
Despite repeated assurances from city corporations and development bodies, the waterlogging issue continues to plague the capital with every heavy rain, leaving Dhaka’s 20 million residents increasingly frustrated.
Office-goers, schoolchildren, and emergency services faced immense difficulty commuting as rickshaws, cars, and buses struggled to move through submerged streets. Long tailbacks were seen on major roads, with commuters stuck
Shop owners in low-lying areas reported water entering their premises, damaging goods and halting business. “This happens every year. We keep appealing to the authorities, but nothing changes. The drains are clogged, and the roads are poorly maintained,” said Shamsun Nahar, who owns a clothing store in Gawsia Market.
Dhaka North and South City Corporations have faced growing criticism over their failure to address long-standing drainage issues. Officials, however, cited infrastructure limitations and climate change as major contributing factors.
“Unplanned urbanization and encroachment on canals and water bodies have worsened the drainage system,”
Just a few hours of rainfall on Tuesday morning brought large swathes of Dhaka to a standstill, as severe waterlogging submerged roads, disrupted traffic, and exposed yet again the capital’s chronic drainage problems. Frustrated residents waded through knee-deep water, with many questioning how the city continues to suffer the same fate year after year.
