Incessant rain and water from upstream India have flooded the Chattogram-bound lane of the Dhaka- Chattogram highway in Chauddagram of Cumilla, submerging it in knee-high water and causing significant traffic disruptions.
The resulting traffic jam now stretches for 5 kilometers and is growing longer as the day progresses.
The gridlock began on Thursday morning (August 22) and shows no sign of easing. The affected stretch of the highway, spanning about 2 kilometers from Nabagram road head to Chauddagram bazar, has been inundated, slowing down vehicle movement and stranding drivers and passengers.
Emdad Mia, a covered van driver, reported being caught in the traffic jam since 6:00am. He described the road as being submerged after Kalir Bazar, making driving extremely difficult and contributing to the traffic buildup. "I've been stuck for almost an hour," he said.
Zakir Hossain, a car driver, expressed shock at seeing knee-deep water on the highway for the first time in his life. "Driving in these conditions is a life risk. I advise those heading to Chattogram from Dhaka to avoid taking small cars on the highway," he cautioned.
Kamal Uddin, a bus driver for Hanif Paribahan, shared that it took him 40 minutes to cover just one kilometer of the flooded road. He warned that the traffic jam would likely worsen as the day goes on if the water levels remain high.
Mia Bazar Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge SM Lokman Hossain confirmed that the highway police are working to alleviate the traffic jam but noted that vehicle movement has slowed significantly due to the flooding.