Waist-Deep Water After Just Two Hours of Rain
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Chattogram city has experienced severe waterlogging after only 33 millimeters of rainfall over two hours. Knee- to waist-deep water accumulated in several areas, including Prabartak and Panchlaish residential zones. Rain began around 4:00pm on Saturday and stopped before 6:00pm, but residents and commuters on affected roads suffered significant hardship. Many were forced to travel by rickshaws and vans.
Some residents expressed anger toward the local state minister. Frustrated pedestrians mocked the situation, saying, “What is the point of taking photos? Tell the minister the water images can be made using AI.” The city had already experienced waterlogging three times in the previous week, causing severe disruption. At that time, the minister reportedly dismissed reports of flooding in Chattogram as ‘fake news’.
According to data from the Ambagan office of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, 33 millimeters of rain were recorded between 3:40pm and 6:00pm. Earlier, 11 millimeters of rain were recorded between midnight and 6:00am on Friday.
A field visit to the Panchlaish residential area showed entire roads submerged under waist-deep water by 6:00pm. The area hosts two hospitals, three educational institutions, a multi-storey government officers’ apartment complex, and residences of divisional officials, along with several high-rise buildings.
Md. Selim, caretaker of the government officers’ Chameli apartment, said water has been accumulating on the road due to work involving blocking a canal. He added that water often remains stagnant even when there is no rainfall.
At around 5:45pm near Prabartak intersection, water was seen reaching waist level. People crossed roads using elevated medians, while others travelled on rickshaws. A private car broke down after getting submerged and was later pushed by several people to a dry area.
When asked for comments, one pedestrian reacted angrily, saying, “What is the point of taking photos? Tell the minister these are AI-generated images.”
Waterlogging was also reported in Katalganj residential area and Pathantuli. A resident of Katalganj, Masud Farhan, posted on Facebook at 6:00pm, addressing the state minister: “I swear to God, this is the current situation of Katalganj residential area in Chattogram. This is not an old image from 2023 or 2024.”
Md. Delwar, owner of Burma Furniture in the Gayebi Mosque area of Pathantuli, said water rose up to ankle level and began receding after the rain stopped.
