Around 60 areas in the capital will witness severe waterlogging due to heavy downpour this monsoon, according to information sent to the LGRD ministry by two city corporations.
Two city corporations’ authorities have already informed the LGRD ministry, mentioning some 59 waterlogging prone areas. Of these, 29 such areas are in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and 30 areas are under the jurisdiction of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).
Drainage system of these areas have become ineffective due to various reasons and people of many areas in the capital suffered from waterlogging following incessant rain for the last two days.
Sources said that construction and renovation of some big drainage projects in Dhaka have not been completed till now.
Besides, filling up of sewerage lines with garbage, sands and construction materials will result in severe waterlogging this year, concerned people said.
On the other hand, concerned authorities, two city corporations and WASA to be particular, responsible for maintaining the drainage system are playing pass the parcel.
DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam said, “The sewerage system for passing rain water are being maintained by different government bodies. Now, other organisations are not taking any action to keep the canals or drains clean. That is why waterlogging is occurring.”
“There are several drains of Dhaka WASA in different places. I wrote a letter to clean these and they informed me that they could not clean the drains. Now we have to clean the canals and drains of other organisations. But they are not giving us any money”, he added.
“A big action plan has to be made in order to free Dhaka from waterlogging. All the agencies have to make a coordinated plan on how to get the water out of an area and by which route. Then they have to start working. Otherwise, there will be problems with each area years after years”, General Secretary of Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) and Professor of Urban and Planning at Jahangirnagar University Adil Mohammad Khan told Bangladesh Post in this regard.
Waterlogging-prone areas (29) of DNCC are --- Ashkona, Army Stadium to Banani Road No. 27, Mirpur Journalist Colony Area, Nayatola Shaheed Abdul Wahab Road, North Begunbari, Mohammadpur, Lalmatia, Kazipara, Shewrapara, East Manipur, South Manipur, Pirerbagh, Mirpur 10, Mirpur 13, Banglamotor, Madhubagh, Shashabbari, Kawranbazar TCB Building area, Shahid Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Nikunj-1, Nikunj-2, East Nakhalpara, Paglarpur, East Rajabazar, West Rajabazar, Tejturi Bazar Garden Road, Green Road and Uttara Sector no 4.
According to the DSCC list, 30 waterlogging-prone places are Dhanmondi Road No 27, Newmarket Bicycle Stand, Eskaton Road, Awami League Central Office Area of Bangabandhu Avenue, Nazimuddin Road, Ganakatuli City Colony, Nawabganj Park, Jhigatala, Bangshal KP Ghosh Street Kasaituli, Agasadek Road, Agamasi Lane, Abdul Hadi Lane, Road in front of Bangladesh Field, Majed Sardar Road, Kazi Alauddin Road, Nazira Bazar, Siddique Bazar and Alu Bazar, Awlad Hossain Lane and Nabra Lane, Miyazan Alley, Madrasa Alley, Rishi Para, Road adjacent to KM Das Lane, RK Mission Road and Abhaydas Lane, Gopibagh Bazar Road, Dhalpur Staff Quarters and Dhalpur WASA Road.