Rangpur residents are suffering as rain-induced waterlogging has inundated many city streets and areas.

According to the Met office, 42mm rain was recorded in the city in the last four days; on July 19, the figure was 190mm. As a result, at least 17 neighbourhoods in 33 wards under Rangpur City Corporation have become inundated.

During a recent visit, this correspondent found Mulatol, Kamarpara, Kamalkasna, Babu Khan, Shahipara, Habibnagar, City Bazar, Dhap, Hajipara, Amangsukukrul, Munsipara, Barkatia Masjid, Gomastapara, Rangpur Central Bus Terminal, in front of Rangpur Kotwali Police Station, Tatipara, Rabartsonganj and Masuapara waterlogged. Many of the areas went under knee-deep water, and residents became marooned.

Slum dwellers were the worst sufferers as rainwater entered into their houses. Many were seen removing water from inside their houses.

Women were struggling to cook. Jesmin Ara, one of them from Kamarpara, said, "I set up my stove on a high place as the kitchen floor was submerged."

On the streets, sufferings got worse when rickshaw-pullers and battery-run three-wheelers refused to go through waterlogged areas. Many residents were wading through water to their destinations. "Water is so dirty and murky, it can cause skin diseases," said Ashish, a resident of RJ road area.

Many dwellers blamed the authorities concerned for the situation.

Mohamad Mamun from Hajipara area said no new drains were constructed since the inception of the city corporation eight years ago.

Talking to The Daily Star, Prof Tuhin Wadud of Begum Rokeya University, an urbanisation researcher, said poor drainage is behind the waterlogging.

The city should not be inundated as it is situated on high land and surrounded by six rivers, including the Ghagat and Shyamasundari, he said.

The water is not receding smoothly as the sewers cannot drain towards the rivers, he said. The number of drains in the city is not adequate, he added.

This correspondent found drains in many areas filled with polythene, waste and hyacinth.

Citizens said the mayor failed to keep his pledges to improve drainage system. In this regard, Shafiqul Islam Mithu, councillor of ward-14, said drains and canals have to be saved from encroachment.

According to city corporation sources, the city has 200km of drains.

Contacted, mayor Mostafizar Rahman Mostafa admitted the failure. He said they are renovating many drains and constructing new ones to resolve the waterlogging problem.

The works are expected to be completed within one year, he said.

Md Emdad Hossain, superintendent engineer of the city corporation, admitted that the narrowed down drains aggravated the suffering. "We will take steps to clear the sewers on a regular basis," he said.