Despite continued rainfall over the last three days throughout Chattogram division, it wasn’t until Sunday night that it got really heavy. Vehicular movement was disrupted at various locations of Sitakunda on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway.
School and college students as well as office-goers were faced with extreme distress in trying to reach their destinations, given a lack of available transport.
The city also suffered severe traffic congestion since morning at various points including Bohoddar Hat, Kapashgola, Chawkbazar, Sholoshohor, Agrabad, Halishahar of Muradpur, Khatunganj and Bakolia.
On top of all this, there is the fear of landslide, serious enough for the district administration to shift residents from the foot of the hills at risk. Concerned officials informed that a total of 250 families have been brought to the shelter centres in the course of the last two days.
Besides, the families are being asked through loudspeaker appeals to move to safer ground on their own initiative. The Civil Surgeon’s office has formed a medical team while the Red Crescent introduced a control room. The local administration has taken all the preparations within their capacity to tackle any possible disaster.
Meanwhile, meteorologist Bazlur Rashid informed that 170 mm rain was recorded in Rangamati from 6am on Sunday to 6am on Monday. Besides, Sitakunda experienced 168 mm rain while Chattogram got 74 mm in the same period. He predicts the rain may continue for the next two days. In view of the inclement weather, sea ports have been asked to continue hoisting warning signal number 3.
Jamal Khan Ward Councillor of Chattogram City Corporation Shaibal Dash Sumon stated that the city corporation employees are engaged in sewerage work cleaning the drains that have filled up due to the incessant rain.