Some 2,000 people of Shantinagar area in Tarakanda upazila headquarters under the district have to bear with serious waterlogging problem for years.

“Now stagnant water covers the area nearly half of the year. The residents including some 500 school and college going children have to use a bamboo bridge to come out of their homes to go to different destinations,” said Manik Sarker, a businessman of the area.

The residents, especially the children, are often affected with various waterborne diseases due to the nuisance, he said.

The waterlogging has turned unbearable due to lack of proper drainage system and unplanned construction of buildings, said 90-year-old Monindra Chaklader.

“Even after a moderate rain, water enters our houses, stopping our cooking,” said Jharna Sarker, a schoolteacher.

Housewives Toma Pal, Arobi Begum, Basona Singh and Jharna Das said they are in serious trouble with their children due to the situation.

Many families have shifted to other places including Mymensingh town to save their children from waterborne and skin diseases, also considering their smooth schooling, said Taposh Chaklader, father of a son.

A man collects water from a tube-well on the submerged yard of his house as the area remains under stagnant water around half of the year. Photo: Star

“Before every local and national election, the candidates talk about overall development of the area but they ignore us afterwards,” said Benu Pal, a local.

“Like hundreds of residents of the area, we have to cross the bamboo bridge amid risk, especially in the rainy season,” said Senjuti Pal, a Class IV student of the area.

Md Harun-or-Rashid, member of Tarakanda union parishad, said they informed the authorities concerned on several occasions to solve the waterlogging problem but no action was taken.

Motahar Hossain Talukder, chairman of Tarakanda upazila parishad, said, “A master plan has been taken recently to solve the perennial problem but no allocation has been made yet. The work will start if necessary budget is sanctioned.”