23.5mm rainfall submerges port city

Residents of Chattogram city, especially office-goers, had to endure flooded streets yesterday, on the first working day after Eid-ul-Fitr, following torrential rain in Chattogram city since morning.

Low-lying areas went under knee- to waist-deep water due to heavy rain coupled with tidal surge.

Contacted, Sheikh Farid Ahmed, an officer of Chattogram Met Office, said they recorded 23.5 mm rainfall in 24 hours till 12:00pm yesterday. The met office forecasted more rain in the next 24 hours, he said.

Those who started for office suffered the most, as they had to wade through filthy water overflowing from roadside drains.

"We had to suffer due to waterlogging on Eid day last year... the same thing happened on the third day of Eid this year," said Imtiaz Ahmed, a resident of Shulak Bahar area, who was going to the office in the morning. "I failed to hail a rickshaw or other vehicle, and so, I'm walking through this dirty water."

Many areas, including Muradpur, Sholoshohor Gate 2, Kapasgola, Chawkbazar, DC Road, KB Aman Ali Road in West Bakalia, Chandgaon, Halishahar and Agrabad, went under knee- to waist-deep water.

Minhaj Uddin, a resident of Rahattarpool area, said, "Dirty water from the drain is overflowing onto the road, as the staffers concerned from Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) didn't clean the drains."

"We suffer every year in the rainy season due to waterlogging, but no effective initiative has been taken by CCC to address it," he added.

Echoing the same, Jamal Uddin, a resident of West Bakalia's DC Road, said the dirty water not only flooded the roads but also entered his house, which marred the family's Eid celebrations.

CCC Mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury could not be reached for comments despite repeated attempts.Ehebulii ssentisus omnerra