Waterlogging at Benapole Port Due to Continuous Rain
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Continuous rainfall over the past two days has caused water to enter several sheds at Benapole Land Port in Jashore, the country's largest land port, damaging a large quantity of imported goods.
Importers and traders said they are facing losses as goods worth crores of taka have gone underwater due to waterlogging.
They alleged that the situation has worsened because of a poor drainage system and obstacles to water discharge.
According to sources, knee-deep water has accumulated in five sheds adjacent to Gate No. 3 of the port. As a result, various imported products have been soaked and damaged. Traders have also alleged that they do not receive adequate compensation for the damaged goods.
Importer Al Mamun said that even light rainfall causes waterlogging at Benapole Port. “In some places, the water is knee-deep, and in others, it reaches waist level.”
He said, “Due to the lack of an effective drainage system, goods worth crores of taka are damaged every monsoon. Although traders suffer losses, the port authority does not provide demurrage facilities. Raw materials for garment factories, particularly those of export-oriented industries, are the worst affected.”
He also demanded compensation for the affected traders.
After receiving reports of the waterlogging, officials from the customs and port authorities visited the site. Importers and exporters also inspected the affected sheds. The victims demanded prompt compensation and a permanent solution to the waterlogging problem.
Aminul Haque, vice president of the Benapole Import-Export Association, said that even light rain causes water to accumulate in different sheds of the port and damages goods worth crores of taka. He urged the port authority to compensate the affected traders.
Kazi Ratan, deputy director of Benapole Land Port, said that goods stored in several sheds had been soaked by water due to the continuous rainfall. “Work is underway to remove the water using power pumps. However, the continuous rain is disrupting the efforts. We hope the situation will improve once the rain stops.”
He further said that necessary initiatives are being taken to achieve a permanent solution to the waterlogging problem in the future.
