Despite efforts to improve the waterlogging conditions in Dhaka, the city dwellers are yet to enjoy relief any sooner. More often than not many parts of the city go under knee-deep water even if it rains for a brief period of time. Experts blame on inadequate water drainage system and lack of coordination among the different authorities.
Different city utility agencies concerned undertook various projects separately over the years to overcome the persisting problem. A major crisis identified long ago. Experts point out that an immediate coordinated effort can only solve the crisis. Sadly, however, citizens, enjoying any benefits from the costly projects to find solutions, is insignificant.
Due to uncoordinated efforts in resolving the crisis there is a blame game which is indeed highly annoying as the concerned agencies blame one another. The city dwellers witnessed devastating brief flooding in many low lying areas in last few days is a clear reflection of the city's poor drainage system. The two major players of the capital's drainage system are Dhaka Water Supply Authority and Sewerage Authority (DWASA), both parts of Dhaka City Corporation.
In last few years, the government on several occasions formed various high-profile committees to free the capital city from severe waterlogging that occurs during the monsoon. Last year, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and Dhaka Wasa submitted a report identifying 48 waterlogging-prone areas and only five drainage points in the city corporation.
The report mentioned numerous reasons for waterlogging. The reasons include a decrease in the number of wetlands, filling up of rivers, drains and canals, faulty drainage systems, impediments to the drainage system due to utility lines, fewer natural water reservoirs, and drainage networks choked by garbage, and the lack of separate storm and waste sewer lines.
City Corporation and Wasa took several initiative to free waterlogging, but, all the initiatives went in vain due to lack of coordinated and integrated efforts. Professor Ainun Nishat, a water resources and climate change specialist, said the situation in city’s most areas now is chaotic, and it has worsen during the monsoon, especially with bad and dug-up roads filled with water and mud due to the ongoing construction works of metro rail, elevated expressway and bus rapid transit.
“Some days back, 17 mm of rain was recorded in the city but it caused waterlogging in many areas. Therefore, I’m concerned that if Dhaka experiences 200 mm to 300 mm rain this year, it will be a disaster,” he said. Professor Ainun Nishat, also an urban expert said, “Dhaka City Corporation, and Dhaka WASA should shun the path of mud-sliding instead of working together to protect the city from water-logging,”
Replying to a query, he said the city had 53 natural canals which used to drain out water from the capital to the rivers Buriganga, Turag and Balu during the monsoon. “But unfortunately we have lost these natural canals. If these canals are not rescued on an urgent basis, no initiative to remove rainwater from the city will prove effective. And we will have to face more troubles,” he expressed concern.
According to DSCC and DNCC, there are 10 kilometre box culverts in the city whereas Dhaka Wasa maintains 370 kilometre storm drainage pipelines, covering only one-fifth of its jurisdiction area of 400 square kilometres.Besides, 2,051-km surface drains, also maintained by the two city corporations, are supposed to feed the large diameter storm drains. But these surface drains remain heavily clogged with solid waste all the time.
Contacted, DSCC Chief Executive Officer Mostafizur Rahman said they held a meeting with the officials of water development board in this regard. He said, “We identified more than 30 severe waterlogging areas. Of those, City Corporation is working on some parts and Wasa.” On the other hand, Wasa Managing Director Taqsem A Khan told Bangladesh Post, “We have taken preparations to resolve waterlogging problem in the city. We readying things accordingly.”
Replying to a query, he said, “A certain amount of water can pass through box culvert and sewerage lines. When it rains heavily, it takes time to pass the entire amount of water that accumulates on the straeets. For that reason, people witness one hour to two hour water-logging.”