Moderate rain inundates Brahmanbaria town
Waterlogging has become a common phenomenon in monsoon at a number of neighbourhoods in Brahmanbaria.
Residents in these areas suffer badly as they remain marooned for days following rain lasting as little as 15 minutes, locals said.
A poor drainage system is the root cause of waterlogging in the town, observed local activists and civil society members.
Unplanned construction of buildings, filling up of wetlands, and mindless garbage dumping were responsible for the situation, said Advocate Nasir Mia, an environmental activist and the secretary of the Brahmanbaria unit of National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas.
Lack of maintenance of roads and sewerage system by the municipality authority and the lack of consciousness among town dwellers were among other reasons, said Habibur Rahman Pervez, joint secretary of Brahmanbaria Zila Nagorik Forum.
Bonikpara, Kazipara, Kandipara, Madhyapara, Kumarshill Moor, Court Road, Collegepara, Munsefpara, Fulbaria, and Paschim Medda are the worst affected areas.
During a visit on July 14, this correspondent found knee-deep and waist-deep filthy stagnant water in these areas. Residents said they had been bearing the nuisance for about a week.
The 18 sq km Brahmanbaria municipality was formed in 1868 by river Titas.
“Although it is a grade one municipality according to documents, it doesn’t appear to be so given the condition of the roads and drains. The authorities are not doing anything to permanently solve the problem,” said Biswajit Bonik of Bonikpara.
“The residents go through untold sufferings as they need to wade through the filthy stagnant water,” he said calling on the authorities to address the issue immediately.
Jalal Hossain Khoka of Collegepara said population in his area was higher than other areas. A number of educational institutions, including Brahmanbaria Government College, was situated there.
“Still, families here, particularly those living on the eastern side, remain marooned during rainy days,” said Jalal.
Akbar Hossain Chunno, a resident of Kandipara, said, “Water seeps into the tin-shed houses whenever it rains. This happens because the ponds in this area have been filled up.
“Residents then need to shift to rented places to save their valuables. It is a huge hassle,” he said.
Regarding the concerns, Nikash Chandra Mitra, executive engineer of Brahmanbaria municipality, said, “We are trying to solve the problem but things cannot change overnight as we are short of funds.”
At a programme held at the municipality office on Monday, Brahmanbaria Municipality Mayor Nayar Kabir said, “We will mark the most vulnerable areas and they will be incorporated in the upcoming development projects.
“The waterlogging problem is being taken seriously. We hope to come to a solution before the arrival of monsoon next year,” the mayor said in response to a journalist’s query at the programme.
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