Chattogram floods again despite Tk 14,500 cr projects
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Continuous rain has submerged Chattogram city once again. Roads have been swallowed by knee-to-waist-deep water, causing suffering for office-goers and students.
Although massive projects are underway to resolve waterlogging, the city’s repeated flooding has raised questions about the effectiveness of these initiatives.
Rain that began on Sunday left low-lying areas like Katalganj, Panchlaish, Agrabad Commercial Area, Pathantuli, and Kapasgola underwater by Monday morning. Residents became waterlogged as water rose from main roads into narrow alleys.
In Katalganj, a rickshaw driver was seen pushing through chest-deep water with passengers in a hooded vehicle covered in plastic. The wheels were completely submerged, and the water reached the driver’s waist.
It became impossible to distinguish between main roads and residential alleys as they were buried under water, while nearby, a pedestrian waded through waist-deep water.
Similar conditions plagued road number 1 of the Panchlaish Residential Area. Floodwaters reached the entrances of Al Hidayah International School and Al Rawah English School, resulting in very few students appearing in the morning.
Vehicular movement almost completely stopped, and one rickshaw puller was spotted hauling his vehicle and passengers through waist-deep water. In addition to Panchlaish and Katalganj, water accumulated in other low-lying zones including the Agrabad Commercial Area, Pathantuli, and Kapasgola.
Because of the flooding, public transport and rickshaws became scarce, forcing many to walk to their destinations in the rain. Those who found rickshaws had to pay inflated fares.
Water also pooled in front of various schools, trapping parents and children on their way. Many students were unable to attend school on Monday due to the transportation crisis. Four projects costing around Tk 14,500 crore are being implemented to mitigate waterlogging in Chattogram city.
Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), Chittagong City Corporation, and Water Development Board are executing these projects, which are nearing completion. Despite these efforts, the knee-to-waist-deep water following the recent rain has sparked serious debate regarding the effectiveness of these initiatives.
