AGONY OF ASHULIA

The residents of different areas in Savar's Ashulia have been in the grip of perennial waterlogging for a month.  

Poor drainage system, coupled with incessant rainfall for the last few weeks, has contributed to this woe, said the residents. 

They said this is not the first time they are experiencing such; every year, they have to deal with waterlogging for at least four months during the monsoon.

Currently, a number of areas were under knee-deep water. Of them, Jamgora, Gazirchat, Baipail, Sreepur, Chettoshail, Vadail, Pobnartak and Kurgone were the worst affected areas. 

Ali Hossen, a trader in Jamgora area, said even a light shower, let alone heavy downpour, causes waterlogging in the area as there is no drainage system.

Anis Mia, a rickshaw garage owner in the same area, said his garage had gone under water, halting his business activities.  

If the situation does not improve, he will have to suffer financially as he solely depends on this business, said Anis.

Meanwhile, garment workers, who live in the area in abundance, are having a tough time running daily errands and travelling to and from their workplaces.

"We are suffering. As the gas stove of my house is completely submerged, I cannot prepare food for the family," said Kalpona Akter, a garment worker. "Every morning, we have to eat dry food."

Nurunnahar Begum, a resident in Gazirchat area, said as the area is waterlogged, toilets and electric water pumps for extracting groundwater have gone under water, posing a health threat and contributing to drinking water crisis. 

Mokbul Hossain, who rents out houses in Jamgora area, said some of his tenants had already left due to the waterlogging.

Expressing frustration, he said they have to face such situation every monsoon.

Saiful Islam, chairman of Swanirvor Dhamsona union parishad that covers Jamgora, Gazirchat, Baipail and Pobnartak areas, said he had informed the higher authorities of the problem.

Sheikh Russell Hasan, upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Savar, last night said UP chairmen in Ashulia had informed him about the waterlogging crisis.

He will talk to the authorities concerned to bring a solution to the problem, he added.