Low-lying areas in Chattogram city remained under waist-deep water for the third consecutive day on Sunday due to heavy rain and the tidal surge, causing sufferings to people.
The areas that were under water included Agrabad CDA residential area, Shantibag, Beparipara, Halishahar, DT Road, Commerce College Road, Bakalia, Rahatarpool, Saraipara, Patharghata, Bahaddarhat, Badurtala, Muradpur, Chawkbazar, Asadganj, Gate 2 area, DC Road, Bahaddarhat, Sulabhbahar, Muradpur, Chawkbazar, CWASA circle of Chattogram city, according to the residents.
The heavy rain caused immense suffering to city dwellers as no transport was available and electricity supply remained shut in the marooned areas.
At least 250 businesses in the city's Reazuddin Bazar have been badly damaged in the water. On the other hand, risky settlements are being removed due to the fear of loss of life due to landslides. The district administration is conducting the drive. As many as 19 shelters have been opened for those who live at risk in the hills.
School going children and office goers had to suffer as no transport, except rickshaws, were available in the waterlogged areas.
Besides, electricity supply remained shut in the low-lying area as meters went under water in those areas, said PDB engineer Rezaul Karim.
Chattogram Met Office official Bishwajit Chowdhury said that they recorded 220mm rainfall in the city and adjacent areas till 12:00pm on Sunday.
Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to hoist local cautionary signal no 3 as deep convection is taking place over North Bay due to strong monsoon.
Heavy rainfall is likely to continue at places over Chattogram division and there is a chance of landslides during the heavy rain.
The people of Chattogram city have been suffering from water stagnation for a decade. The government has undertaken some projects to remove water stagnation in Chattogram which are underway.
Ujjwal Kanti Nath, assistant meteorologist, Chittagong met office, said: "We recorded 218mm of rainfall in the 24 hours till 9am on Sunday. There is a possibility of landslides. The matter has already been reported to the authorities. The rainfall is due to a low-pressure area. Rain is likely to continue for three more days till August 9."
Rakibul Hasan, a local resident, said: "Thousands of families in the area have been marooned for three days. The residents of the colonies, in particular, are suffering due to waterlogging. Water has also entered the ground floor of most of the buildings. In the past, rain would lead to some waterlogging, but this time it has worsened. Because many roads here have been developed in the last few years. That's why the roads are elevated. However, the colonies and houses were not allowed to be raised that way. Now the residents here are suffering due to a little rain."
Salah Uddin, a cloth trader at Reazuddin Bazar, said: “The waterlogging caused by this year's rain has caused a lot of damage to the market. At least 250 businesses were damaged, especially in Saturday's waterlogging.
The water level in Riazuddin market has increased due to rain since Sunday morning. Various types of products, including clothes, have been damaged here. Many products were washed away by the current. It has caused a huge loss of money.”
