Waterlogging a never-ending crisis in Khulna city

Due to unabated encroachment of canals and a lack of proper drainage and sewerage system in Khulna city, waterlogging has become a perennial problem for the dwellers, especially in the rainy season.

For the residents, rain is neither a blessing nor it brings any respite. It rather begets waterlogging, overflowing of drains and inundation of most of the roads, shops and houses.

According to them, due to a poor drainage system, rainwater mixed with sewage continues to escalate sufferings of around 1.7 million people living in 45.65 sq km area under 31 wards in the riverine divisional city.

Even after a light rain, areas such as Dak Bangla Mor, Picture Palace Crossing, Shibbari Intersection, Old Jessore Road, Clay Road, KD Ghosh Road, Cemetery Road, Sir Iqbal Road, Moylapota Mor, Gallamari Mor, Rupsha Ghat, BL College Mor, Phulbari Gate, Sonadanga Central Bus Stand Intersection, PTI Mor, Royal Mor and Shantidham Mor go under knee- to waist-deep water.

Nasim Ahmed, a resident of Sir Iqbal Road area, said, “Anytime it rains, water gets inside our house. We cannot even use the kitchen or bathroom.”

“The streets also stay inundated. We have to wade through filthy water mixed with sewage,” said a frustrated Nasim.

Idris Miah, a rickshaw-puller of Rupsha area, said, “We don't usually pull rickshaws amid rain. Even vehicles try to stay off the roads.”

Sheikh Ashraf Tutul, a shopkeeper on Mirzapur Road, said, “Water also enters the shops damaging our goods. Many of us do not open our businesses during rain.”

Many of the locals said most of the city drains are clogged with polythene, plastic bottles and household garbage. They are not properly cleaned by the authorities concerned, alleged locals.

According to the Khulna City Corporation (KCC) sources, the KCC has spent over Tk 150 crore for excavation and re-excavation of the canals and improving the drainage system.

But due to unabated encroachment by the influential locals and incessant dumping of waste, most of the city's 47 canals do not flow properly and the waterlogging crisis remains at large, they added.

Anisur Rahman, KCC conservancy officer, said, “There are four excavators used for removing waste from around 2,187 drains. Also, we have 550 employees to clean and maintain the drains.”

But during high tides, drain water cannot flow into the river properly that eventually creates waterlogging, he said.

Wishing anonymity, an engineer of KCC, said, “During high tide in the rivers (Bhairab and Rupsha) drain water cannot flow into those as the rivers' water level goes over the sluice gate. As a result, tidal water also enters the city's drainage channel. In addition, when it rains, water also gets stuck on the roads creating waterlogging.”

Contacted, KCC Mayor Moniruzzaman Moni said, “We are trying our best to solve the city's waterlogging crisis.”

The mayor urged the city dwellers not to throw garbage in the drains or canals, which clogs up the drainage system. “Everyone has to work together to keep our city free from waterlogging,” he told The Daily Star.

Admitting that some of the canals have also come under the threat of encroachment, he said, “We are continuing our drives to free the water bodies.”

“We are preparing a Tk 6,000 crore master plan where a 35km embankment will be built to save the city from the tidal water. We will also construct four pumping stations to pump out rainwater. The plan will be implemented by 2021,” he said.