C T Online Desk: The Dhaka city witnessed water stagnation in many areas due to daylong rain triggered by the severe cyclonic storm Sitrang affecting normal life in the city as elsewhere across the country.
Water stagnation and heavy rainfall caused heavy congestion of traffic in some places in the capital while many shops kept their shutters down and day labour felt the pinch as they found no work.
As transport were relatively few, many office goers faced problems to go to their destinations while some were found walking to return home amid the incessant rain.
Meteorologist Abdul Alim said that they recorded 120-milimetre rainfall in Dhaka city from 6:00am to 6:00pm on Monday.
‘85mm rainfall was recorded in the capital city from 12:00noon to 6:00pm. 226mm was recorded in Barishal city,’ said Abdul.
He said that 15mm rainfall was recorded in Chattogram city at the same time.
Stagnation of water was found in many areas in the capital, including Moghbazar, Malibagh, Green Road, Hatirjheel, Azimpur China Building, Shukrabad, Sobhanbagh, Rajabazar, Rajarbagh, Shahjahanpur, Shewrapara, Kazipara, Shanir Ankra, Uttara and Dakshinkhan.
Mohammad Rafiq, a resident in Azmipur Dayera Sharif area, said that they had been facing water stagnation since 11:00am due to heavy rain.
Green Road resident Atiqur Rahman claimed that it was difficult to reach workplace at Farmgate in the capital because of incessant rain.
‘My shoes and pant got drenched in knee-deep water. I paid twice as much as I pay for rickshaw to reach my destination,’ he said.
Mohammad Iqbal, a resident in the capital’s Mirpur, said that he faced a huge tailback to reach Karwan Bazar due to water stagnation in many places.
Superintending engineer Md Khairul Baker of Dhaka South City Corporation’s environment, climate and disaster management circle told New Age that water stagnation in Kalabagan, Sukrabad and Green Road areas occurred as rainwater was draining out slowly through Hatirjeel sluice gate controlled by Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha.
Asked about other areas, he said, ‘We have identified 136 points for water stagnation under the DSCC jurisdiction and taken short term action at 103 of them.’
Dhaka North City Corporation chief executive officer Selim Reza said, ‘We are taking steps through our quick response teams, but it is an incessant rain.’
The rainfall due to the cyclone also triggered water stagnation in many coastal districts including Barishal and Chattogram city.
New Age Staff Correspondent in Chattogram reported that low-lying areas in Chattogram including Agrabad CDA residential area, Shantibag, Beparipara, Halishahar, Bakalia and a few other areas went under water due to tidal surge.
Md Sirazul Islam, a resident in Bakalia area, told New Age that they experienced knee-deep water on Monday evening due to tidal surge in the wake of cyclone Sitrang.
