Waterlogging, flash flood bring woes in Chattogram

-- many roads inundated

-- 94.2mm rail fall recorded

-- 800 families evacuated from hill slopes

-- 39 unions, 9 upazilas affected by flash flood

-- 284 medical teams formed

People in Chattogram city are suffering as many parts of the port city is severely waterlogged due to the ongoing heavy downpour.

Chattogram Met Office recorded 94.2mm rainfall in 24 hours till 12:00noon today, our correspondent reports quoting met office source.

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Major rivers continue to rise, more areas inundated

“Heavy to moderate shower may continue in the next 24 hours,” said Bishwajit Chowdhury, forcasting officer of the met office.

Low-lying areas including Chawkbazar, Bakalia, Sholakbahar, Agrabad, Halisahar, Muradpur, Bohaddarhat, Kapasgola, Parbartak Intersection, KB Aman Ali Road, DC Road, Chandgaon, Sholashahar Gate No. 2, East Nasirabad and Dewanbazar areas were inundated in nearly knee-to-waist-deep water.

The photo is taken from Sholashahar Gate No 2 area. Photo: Rajib Raihan/Star

Most of the commuters in the areas were seen walking through filthy water overflowing from the roadside drains, our correspondent reports from the spot.

There are a very few number of vehicles plying on the roads and three-wheeler rickshaws are demanding double to triple of the usual fare, some of the commuters told our correspondent.

Many commuters expressed their resentment over the authorities “failure” in addressing the waterlogging issue of the city.

"The city people have been suffering each year in the same way. Water entered my house and damaged the valuables. I don't understand what the authorities are doing except giving assurances," said Mohammad Hannan, a resident of West Bakalia.

Contacted, Shafiqul Mannan Siddique, chief conservancy officer of Chattogram City Corporation, said the city corporation workers were working relentlessly to clean the drains so that water can pass easily.

Heavy shower during high tide caused this year's waterlogging in low-lying areas but water was draining out quickly, he said.

On the other hand, Chattogram District Administration evacuated around 800 families from risky hill slopes in the city fearing landslide, said Mahmud Ullah Maruf, revenue deputy collector, adding, they were taken to eight shelter centres.

FLOOD SITUATION DETERIORATES

Over 39 unions of nine upazilas in Chattogram are affected due to flash flood and onrush of hill water, said local sources.

In Fatikchhari upazila, 30 villages under five unions were suffering due to flash floods resulting from damage of Halda dam and torrents from the hills, said Najibul Bashar Maijvandari, lawmaker from Tariqat Federation in Fatikchhari constituency.

In Rangunia upazila, twenty villages of five unions were affected due to flash flood, said Khalilur Rahman, upazila chairman, adding that acres of agricultural land is under water.

Ali Shah, Former upzila Chairman of Rangunia urged the government to declare the upazila flood affected.

Meanwhile, three unions of Anwara, five of Patiya, four of Satkania, three of Lohagara, four of Banshkhali, three of Chandanaish and seven of Hathazari upazila were affected due to flash flood, according to local sources.

Hundreds of acres of agricultural lands in the upazilas are under water.

To combat the situation, Chattogram Civil Surgeon Office formed 284 medical teams and a control room for emergency situation in flood affected areas, said Azizur Rahman Siddique, Civil Surgeon of Chattogram.

“A total of five medical teams in each upazila and one in each union have been performing their duties round the clock,” he added.