Rain causes waterlogging, traffic chaos in city

Monsoon rain submerged different areas of Dhaka city as Met Office recorded the season's second highest rainfall with 121 millimeters this afternoon.

“We recorded highest rainfall with 139 mm in the Dhaka city on June 12 this year while second highest rainfall with 121 mm from 1pm to 3pm today,” Bazlur Rashid, a meteorologist of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), told BSS.

“July and August are most rainfall months of rainy season. Met Office recorded more rain than normal level in July and we are predicting more rainfall than normal during this month,” he added.

Waterlogging is a usual phenomenon in Dhaka city during rainy season as even moderate rainfall is enough to submerge its different areas.

According to experts, poor drainage system is largely responsible for water-logging in Dhaka city. They suggested improving drainage system as well as recovering canals and water bodies around Dhaka city to get rid of inundation.

Meanwhile, city's most areas, including Rokeya Sarani, Kazipara, Shewrapara, Senpara Parbata, Merul Badda, Bijoy Sarani, Mouchak, Malibagh, Shantinagar and Arambagh were inundated due to the downpour.

Commuters were facing severe problems in reaching their destinations for lack of transport. The city dwellers were seen stranded for hours in traffic jam. Low-income people, especially day labourers, suffered much as rains disrupted their normal pace of life.

Rickshaw pullers and CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers were charging excessive fare taking the advantage of the inclement weather.

Water levels at 35 river stations monitored by the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) have marked increase while 52 stations recorded fall.

Among the 90 monitored water level stations, three river stations have been registered steady while water level at two river stations are flowing above danger level, a bulletin issued by the FFWC said here today.

The Kobadak river at Jhikargacha and the Kangsha at Jariajanjail are flowing 25 cm and 10 cm above the danger level respectively, reports BSS.

The rainfall was recorded 105.0 mm at Kanaighat, 65.0 mm at Pabna, 80.0 mm at Khulna, 60.0 at Comilla, 69.0 at Dhaka, 58.0 at Sheola, 65.5 at Faridpur and 51.0 47.5 mm at Rohanpur in 24 hours to 9 am today.