Waterlogging
Recovered city canals will end waterlogging and add beauty: LGRD Minister
LGRD Minister Md Tajul Islam on Tuesday said all canals in Dhaka city will be freed from illegal encroachment to help ease waterlogging and enhance its beauty.
“If we can free the canals from illegal encroachment, it will help ease waterlogging problems in the city,” he told reporters after inspecting the eviction of the illegal establishments at Ramchandrapur canal in the Basila area of Mohammadpur.
He said those who invested huge money in illegally building these establishments occupying government land will be affected. But they should have known better, he said adding this will send a message against future illegal encroachment.
Read: NCC election deemed free and fair by international community: LGRD Minister
He said the government won’t tolerate any further illegal occupation of government land.
The government has taken a project to launch water transports after linking canals in the city and the work to connect canals will start soon, said Tajul adding “We should bring back the heritage of Dhaka city.”
Chronic waterlogging adds to Bhabdaha's pain in winter
Despite the onset of the dry season after the monsoon, fifty-two villages in Bhabdaha, a region in the south-west of the country straddling Khulna-Jashore that became known for its chronic waterlogging over two generations, remain submerged.
The Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) and the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) have taken up irrigation projects to alleviate the waterlogging over this huge area recently. However, residents are skeptical about its success.
Sorrow of Bhabdaha
In 1961-62, a 21-vent sluice gate was built on the Hari River flowing through Dumuria and Fultala of Khulna district and Abhaynagar, Manirampur and Keshabpur upazilas of Jashore (then Jessore) district. Some distance away, another sluice gate of nine vents was set up.
At that time, the purpose of building sluice gates in this region was to protect the croplands of around 50 beels in the Bhabdaha area from flood waters and salinisation from incoming sea water.
But, only 20 years later, that sluice gate became the cause of the misery of the residents. The Hari River began to get filled up, and the sluice gates gradually became ineffective, over time coming to be known as the 'sorrow of Bhabdaha'.
Anamika Biswas, a housewife from Hatagachha village, said that there is water all around her house. They keep their cattle at home.
Although fish can be seen in the water around their house, they have no way to catch and eat it. However, influential people of the area are cultivating fish there in enclosures.
Irrigation pumps a 'loss project'
Talking to the locals, it was learned that irrigation activities are being carried out in a joint venture between BADC and BWDB to alleviate the permanent waterlogging of Bhabdaha. But despite investing lakhs of taka per month, the drainage of the irrigation pumps through the Bhabdaha sluice gate could not bring any benefits to the residents.
READ: Heavy rains lead to horrific waterlogging in parts of Chattogram
This initiative was implemented at the beginning of this year to grow crops in the adjoining beel areas and reduce the suffering of marooned people. However, the locals have compared this method to 'throwing stones in the sea'.
Earlier, the government undertook a project in 2012 at a cost of Tk 68 crore to alleviate the waterlogging in Bhabdaha. But that project did not work. A couple of years ago, the Water Development Board submitted a project proposal at a cost of Tk 800 crore, which is currently in the Planning Commission. Besides, an allocation of Tk 43 crore has been sought for drainage of water through irrigation pumps at present.
Abdullah Al Rashid, BADC's Jashore Region Supervising Engineer (Irrigation Department), said BADC provided 20 pumps of 30 hp (horsepower) to BWDB to grow crops and reduce human suffering in the region. A sub-engineer along with eight workers of BADC maintains it there round the clock. But BWDB was not aware of the leakage and did not take any action.
Tauhidul Islam, executive engineer of BWDB of Jashore, said that although 20 pumps were obtained from BADC, it was less than the demand. Therefore, DPP has been submitted to the ministry for allocation of Tk 43 crore for larger pumps.
"Besides, a project has been lying in the department concerned for allocation of around Tk 800 crore two years ago. That too was not approved," he added.
Satya Biswas, a resident of Beel Kedaria in Bhabdaha area, said that waterlogging occurred in Bhabdaha in the 1980's. "Today, even after 40 years, this waterlogging is expanding day by day. Only the influential people are benefited through these projects as they are looting government allocations," he said.
No alternative to dredging the Hari
The water in the beels cannot go anywhere because the river bed has filled up with silt. As a result, the water of these beels cannot recede properly causing immense suffering to the people.
In this regard, Narayan Chandra Chand, Member of Parliament for Khulna-5 (Dumuria-Fultala), that covers the region, questioned the feasibility of the irrigation project undertaken by Water Development Board and BADC. He said there is no alternative to dredging the Hari River anymore, including its tributaries, to alleviate the waterlogging of Bhabdaha.
READ: Dhaka can’t take a break from waterlogging; intense rains drown many roads
The water of Bhabdaha flows through Hari River to the Bhadra, Ghangrail rivers and falls into Shipsa River before merging into the sea. So the embankment of the canal in Bhabdaha has to be removed and the Hari River needs to be dredged - that is the only option left that could work, the MP insists.
Bhatara’s sorrow: Living a year amid stagnant sewage and garbage
For almost a year the Masjid road in Nurerchala area of Bhatara in the city has remained under filthy and stinky water causing untold sufferings to the residents living along the road.
The stench from the stagnant water, a mixture of sewage and human waste, has made the living unbearable as many residents, including children are forced to wade through the submerged road for lack of rickshaws and other transports which avoid the area. Unexpected accidents often occur as the road under water is full of potholes.
Read: Dhaka can’t take a break from waterlogging; intense rains drown many roads
Sewage contaminates the stagnant water because of the poor drainage system resulting in greater health risk for the residents. Skin diseases caused by contaminated water area common among the inhabitants. Mosquito menace them too.
This waterlogging has forced many shops and businesses in this area to be closed. However, locals said the city authorities have no concern regarding their miserable living.
Read: Heavy rains lead to horrific waterlogging in parts of Chattogram
A UNB photojournalist captured in his frames a part of the everyday miseries endured by the locals in the area.
Dhaka can’t take a break from waterlogging; intense rains drown many roads
Heavy monsoon rains on Sunday brought some sort of relief from heat in Dhaka but it caused widespread waterlogging in the capital as usual.
As there was a low number of vehicles on the roads due to the ongoing strict lockdown, no traffic jam was there in the city because of waterlogging.
The heavy showers that started around 11 am caused waterlogging in areas like Green Road, Tejkunipara, Malibagh, Manik Mia Avenue, Satmasjid Road and Dhanmondi.
Those who had to come out of homes to buy essential goods or to meet other emergency causes were seen wading through ankle-to–knee deep water.
Taposh blames development projects for city’s waterlogging
Mayor of South Dhaka Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh has blamed management of development projects, including Metro Rail, for causing waterlogging in the capital and consequent public sufferings.
“Their lack of coordination and inability to consider the bigger picture is one of the reasons behind waterlogging in the capital,” he told reporters after inaugurating a playground at Tikatuli in Ward 39 of the city on Wednesday.
“ For example , the waterlogging problem in Sonir Akhra has not been solved even after recovering the Kajla canal of the area because of the metro rail project going on in that area.”
“ We are trying to coordinate with the development project runners and are hopeful to solve this problem very soon,” the DSCC Mayor added.
READ: Return to Dhaka after lockdown ends: Mayor Taposh
Besides, the city dwellers have not stopped indiscriminate dumping of wastes and plastic bottles which are blocking the drainage system, jeopardising all efforts in solving waterlogging problem, a disappointed mayor added.
"Dhaka South City Corporation is working to solve the problem of waterlogging. Once that is done, the city dwellers will gradually be relieved of the sufferings, "Taposh said.
On the issue of waterlogging in Motijheel area, the mayor said, "The contractor was not able to complete the project on time. Work is also underway to alleviate waterlogging on the Toynbee Circular Road in Fakirapul. Once these are completed, there will be no waterlogging. "
READ: Close shops by 8 pm: Mayor Taposh
Earlier today, the mayor inaugurated the Interim Waste Transfer Center at Muktangan in Ward 13 of the city and inspected development works and sewer cleaning activities from Fakirapul Junction to Motijheel Petrol Pump area. He later visited several waterlogged areas from Rayerbagh to Sonir Akhra.
He also inaugurated Azimpur Children's Park.
Morning showers drown Dhaka, again!
Copious seasonal showers led to waterlogging and traffic congestion in several parts of the capital on Tuesday morning, washing away the tall claims of monsoon preparedness by the civic bodies.
According to Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the metropolis received 18 mm of rainfall from 6am to 9am.
As usual, several areas of the city faced waterlogging problems -- Mirpur, Kazipara and Shewrapara being the worst hit.
Also read: 15 mm rain submerge parts of Dhaka, likely to continue
Busy roads and office areas of Tejgaon, Satrasta, Motijheel, Dainik Bangla, Fakirapul, Kakrail, Shantinagar, Nightingale crossing and Bijaynagar also bore the brunt of the morning rains.
orth Bay, there is no likelihood of rainfall activity stopping in the next 72 hours in the country.
15 mm rain submerge parts of Dhaka, likely to continue
Torrential monsoon rain swamped many parts of the capital on Monday, disrupting public movement and triggering a traffic chaos.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, 12mm of rain was recorded in the last 24 hours in Dhaka until 6am Monday.
Read: Bottle-shape wastebin to symbolise fight against plastic pollution and waterlogging
Besides, 3 mm rain was recorded from 6 am till 3 pm on Monday afternoon.
As usual, this was enough to shatter the tall claims of monsoon preparedness made by the city's municipal corporations, as several areas faced waterlogging problems.
The sorry state of Mirpur,Rampura and Badda remained the same as they were the hardest hit areas of waterlogging and people of those areas were seen wading through ankle-deep water to reach their destination showers relented.
The other affected areas are Sewrapara, Kazipara part of Begum Rokeya Sarani, Agargaon crossing, Bijoy Sarani crossing, Kalabagan, Farmgate , Shegunbagicha, Bijoy Nagari, Motsho Bhaban , Green Road and Fakirapool areas have also been inundated, reported our correspondents.
Read: Heavy rains batter Khulna, cause sufferings
A number of vehicles remained stranded at different city streets due to waterlogging since morning.
Bangladesh Meteorological Department couldn’t provide any relieving information as they predicted the rainfall to continue across the country including Dhaka.
According to the Met Office website, light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at most places over Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions and at many places over Rajshahi, Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places over the southern part of the country.
Heavy rains batter Khulna, cause sufferings
Heavy monsoon rain pouring since Saturday morning flooded streets, caused waterlogging and disrupted traffic and public life in this south-western city.
Overflowing rainwater swamped many shops, office buildings and houses.
The meteorological office recorded 81 mm of rain from 6 am Saturday to 12 pm Sunday.
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The city's Royal Junction, Baiti Para Road, Mistri Para, Jinnah Para, Shipyard Road and other low-lying areas were inundated due to the torrential downpour.
High fares charged by rickshaws, battery-powered easy bikes and three-wheelers compounded sufferings of the commuters.
READ: Heavy rains hit India as Cyclone Nivar approaches
Bottle-shape wastebin to symbolise fight against plastic pollution and waterlogging
In the monsoon, waterlogging is one of the greatest concerns for city dwellers. It has been found that the majority of the waste that clogs the drainage are plastic bottles and plastic bags.
Experts have attributed this to a lack of public awareness and good practice about the environment among city dwellers and said it would be impossible for the government or the city corporation to solve the waterlogging problem if people don’t take responsibility.
To reduce the volume of plastic added into the drainage system and raise awareness, Dhaka South City Corporation’s Ward-21 councilor Mohammad Asaduzzaman has set up a bottle-shaped plastic collection point at Dhaka University's TSC area, and likely to put another 7 bottle-shaped plastic collection points across the 21st ward of Dhaka South City Corporation.
Also read: Plastic waste increases from 178 tons per day in 2005 to 646 tons in 2020 in Dhaka
The placard attached to the bottle reads "Put the plastic waste inside the bottle and help put an end to water-logging."
Contacted, councilor Mohammad Asaduzzaman told UNB, “Although WASA was supposed to clean the drain in the previous years, this year the responsibility has come on us. When we were conducting the drainage cleaning program, we noticed that plastic waste was mainly blamed for hindering water flow and logging in the drainage system. We have collected approximately one and a half thousand bottles from almost every manhole.”
Also read: Fighting plastic pollution: EcoVia working to transform RMG waste
“So, I planned to set up such a bottle-shaped waste bin to motivate people to throw away these bottles in a dustbin, it is possible to prevent unwanted waterlogging. I believe that a unique awareness program can motivate people in a positive way,” he added. He claimed that he personally sponsored full money for the project.
“In a program sponsored by Coca-Cola, I saw that the whole stage was arranged in the shape of a Coke bottle. I thought my problem is also bottle centered so let’s do something with the bottle shape,” he explained.
Monsoon rains expose Cumilla's poor drainage network
The constricted drainage network in the district's Burichang upazila headquarters has proved to be inadequate yet again.
Several roads in the upazila have gone under water due to the incessant showers over the past few days. At many places, road potholes have proliferated, causing immense sufferings to the commuters.
Like every year, the rains have inundated the tall claims of the local authorities on monsoon preparedness.
A reality check by UNB revealed the poor condition of roads in several parts of the upazila, particularly the Cumilla-Burichang-Brahmanpara-Mirpur stretch and the otherwise busy Sarakekhana.
Read Also: Monsoons bring back the menace of waterlogging
The monsoon fury did not even spare the Upazila Awami League office.
Local residents attributed the waterlogging to the upazila's poor drainage system. "It's the same old story every year. Despite repeated requests, the authorities are yet to take a concrete step to overhaul the drainage network," said a resident.
Also read: Waterlogging piles agony on Satkhira municipality residents
According to residents, the potholed roads are responsible for a number of accidents in the area during the monsoon season. "It's high time that the authorities put an end to the sufferings of the public," said another local resident.
Upazila officials could not be contacted.