Rain in Ctg brings relief for some, sufferings for most

When Chattogram city dwellers were suffering from hot weather with temperature of 34 degree Celsiuson -- an average for the last one week--, sudden rains coupled with cold wind brought them relief this morning. But it was not same for everyone.

Rain, which brought relief to many people, caused sufferings to many others.

People living in the low-lying areas in the port city had to bear the brunt of waterlogging once again due to rain.

Most of such areas were submerged under knee to waist-deep water causing immense sufferings to people.

Commuters also had to walk through filthy water overflowing from roadside drains.

Chattogram Met Office recorded 48 mm rain in the 24 hours till 12:00 noon today, said Meteorologist Bishwajit Chowdhury.

Roads like Chawkbazar, West Bakalia DC Road, KB Aman Ali Road, Katalganj, Kapasgola, Bahaddarhat, Muradpur, Sholashahar, Halishahar, Agrabad CDA, Chandgaon and Shulakbahar went under the water.

The road from Bahaddarhat to Sholoshahar Gate No 2, one of the busiest thoroughfares in the city, went under knee-deep water. Many motorised vehicles broke down in the middle of road while pedestrians were compelled to walk through the filthy water.

People blamed the authorities concerned for the situation, saying that those, who are responsible to address the problem, have "failed" to bring any improvement in the waterlogging issue since a decade.

"Once again filthy water from roadside drain entered the houses and reserve water tanks following rain," said Manisha Dhar, a resident of Uzir Ali Shah Bylane at Rahattarpool KB Aman Ali Road, adding, "I don't know what will happen to us."

"I don't understand why the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) could not improve the situation in four years as they initiated a mega project in this regard," said Saiful Islam, a resident of West Bakalia DC Road area.

Ali Akbar, another resident of West Bakalia DC Road, blamed Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) for not cleaning the drains and canals properly.

"Water cannot flow through the drains and canals which are filled with waste," he said, adding, "CCC does not clean those regularly."

Denying the allegation, CCC Deputy Chief Conservancy Officer Morshedul Alam Chowdhury said they clean up the drains and canals regularly but some residents still throw household wastes in the drains and canals indiscriminately making their task difficult.

CCC Mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury could not be contacted for his comments as he is in abroad.

CDA chief engineer Hasan Bin Shams also did not receive his cellphone despite repeated attempts.