Stop throwing plastic and polythene around

Rain during the monsoon brings beauty, but for city dwellers, it also brings distress. Just a few hours of heavy rainfall can flood streets with muddy water, leaving workers, students, and commuters stranded. While we often blame poor drainage systems, our own habit of carelessly disposing of plastic waste is a major cause of this problem.

Bangladesh generates thousands of tonnes of plastic waste every day. A large portion of this waste consists of single-use plastics such as polythene bags and water bottles. Because of improper waste management, these items often end up in drains, canals, and box culverts. Once trapped in drains, they block the flow of water, preventing rainwater from draining away. As a result, the water overflows onto the streets, creating artificial floods.

This waterlogging creates serious problems. It damages roads, causes traffic congestion, and creates dangerous hazards for pedestrians. Even worse, stagnant water trapped in discarded plastic containers becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes, increasing the risk of dengue fever.

Government action alone cannot solve this problem. Citizens must also take responsibility. We should switch to jute or cloth bags and stop throwing waste into drains. If we want clean, liveable cities for future generations, we must change our habits today.

Simla Paul

LL.B Student

Gopalganj Science and Technology University