As the monsoon season arrives each year, the residents of the capital city find themselves grappling with the familiar scourge of flooding.
The root causes of this issue are multifaceted. The city's drainage channels have become repositories for waste and refuse, impeding the swift flow of water. Consequently, even mild rainfall results in waterlogging, affecting several key areas such as Motijheel, Badda, Malibagh, Rampura, Shantinagar, Mouchak, Bailey Road, Kakrail, Gulistan, Karwan Bazar, Farmgate, Mirpur, Tejgaon, Mohammadpur, Bhatara-Basundhara, Khilkhet, and the quarters of Old Dhaka.
The authorities responsible for mitigating these challenges, the two city corporations of Dhaka, however, have expressed optimism about this year's efforts to minimize flooding.
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They claimed that measures are underway to tackle the problem effectively. However, these aspirations were dampened by the recent heavy rain on August 9, which triggered widespread waterlogging in various parts of the capital. Notable areas affected included Shahbagh, Banglamotor, Dhanmondi, Mogbazar, Motijheel, Kakrail, Shantinagar, Malibagh, Mouchak, Bailey Road, Rampura, and more.
It is this recurring and unaddressed predicament that has left residents disillusioned.
Kamrul Islam, a resident of Rampura, said, “Year after year, our area, Rampura, faces inundation during the rainy season. While officials often assure us of a different outcome, the reality remains unchanged. A slight shower is enough to cause road sinking and waterlogging.”
This recurring issue is not limited to specific areas but extends to locations like Jurain, Shyampur, Jatrabari, Kadmatoli, and Banshri Bhuiya Para.
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Ruhul Amin, a resident of Bhuoyan Para, voiced his frustration and said, “Every year, floods disrupt our lives, primarily due to the lack of infrastructure development and effective drainage systems. Without these upgrades, even moderate rainfall leads to prolonged waterlogging.”
Illegal encroachments on canals, improper drainage systems, and insufficient planning contribute the most to waterlogging.
Since December 31, 2020, the responsibility for drains and canals under the Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) was transferred to the city corporations. These entities have been actively engaged in canal cleaning, expansion, and establishment of a quick response team to address immediate flooding, they claimed.
Mayor Atiqul Islam of Dhaka North City Corporation said, “We are systematically cleaning and restoring our extensive drainage network, spanning 1,250 kilometers. These endeavors, coupled with canal waste removal, will hopefully reduce waterlogging significantly this year.”
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Additionally, infrastructure construction, canal restoration, and waste removal programs are underway to alleviate the flooding woes, he said.
He further mentioned that a quick response team has been formed.
“Among the areas heavily affected by flooding, Kazipara and Sheorapara suffered the most, a problem now resolved by the drainage system developed by WASA. Additionally, I am currently overseeing work on 29 canals. As part of the restoration efforts, tasks like excavation, cleaning, canal greening, and walkway construction are underway. Furthermore, a canal demarcation program utilizing GIS technology has been initiated. To date, 524 pillars have been successfully installed, while regular canal cleaning operations remain ongoing,” he said.
“The project to reclaim Ibrahimpur, Lautla, Kalyanpur, Rupnagar, Abdullahpur, Civil Aviation, Baishtek, and Baunia Canal from encroachments has been successfully completed,” he added.
According to DNCC sources, there are 103 flood-prone locations in the northern part of the city, with waterlogging occurring even during light rainfall.
He also said plans are underway to establish a state-of-the-art Hydro Ecopark at the Kalyanpur Retention Pond adding that excavation efforts are underway after reclaiming 53 acres of vacant land.
“Some 3 million cubic feet of sludge has already been extracted from the Kalyanpur Retention Pond. As part of a short-term strategy to combat waterlogging, drainage systems are being constructed, and pipelines are being laid from Moghbazar, Madhubagh, Karwan Bazar, Uttara Sector 1, Airport Road, and Banani Railgate to Kakali Mor,” he said.
In a similar vein, Dhaka South City Corporation's Chief City Planner, Sirajul Islam said, "Regular canal and sewer cleaning is ongoing under our jurisdiction. We are also addressing temporary waterlogging stemming from ongoing roadworks, which will be resolved shortly."
Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Tapas of Dhaka South City Corporation said, "Our plans encompass short, medium, and long-term actions to alleviate this issue. Already, the residents are witnessing the benefits of enhanced infrastructure, waste management, canal rehabilitation, and environmental development."
“Earlier, 70 percent of the city used to be submerged during rains. But now the flooding is not happening like before,” said the DSCC mayor.
“Significant progress has been reported on various fronts. Infrastructure construction and development projects have been carried out at 136 locations over the past three years, costing approximately Tk 225 crore,” he said.
According to DSCC's claims, this proactive approach has led to notable improvements, that reduced flooding incidents in previously vulnerable areas such as Palashi Mor, Azimpur Mor, Shanti Nagar, Rajarbagh, Bangladesh Secretariat, Notre Dame College in front of Motijheel area, road in front of Bangladesh Bank and Kamalapur Railway Station, and Sutrapur Industrial Area
The Dhaka South City Corporation has taken steps to renovate four key canals—Shyampur, Manda, Jirani, and Kalungar— he said.
“The undertaking, estimated at Tk 898 crore, includes waste removal, silt management, and development. Meanwhile, the process of rehabilitating the original Buriganga channel, covering around seven kilometers from Kamrangirchar to Rayerbazar, is underway,” he added.
He also said, DSCC has reclaimed control over various canals, box culverts, and sewers.
Since assuming this responsibility, we have removed substantial quantities of waste and silt from these channels, he said.