When monsoon rain causes distress

Monsoon drizzle is a delight for many, but in Bangladeshi cities, it has become a source of public suffering due to water-logging. Even a brief spell of heavy rain submerges roads and areas with water rising up to two to three feet in many places of Dhaka and Chattogram. It often takes three to four hours, and in some cases, one to two days, for the water to recede, causing immense suffering for commuters.
City's slum dwellers, who lack permanent homes and take shelter in alleys and sidewalks at night, lose even this meager refuge during floods. Pedestrians and small vehicles often fall into potholes, adding to the chaos and embarrassment.
Although flooding is an annual issue, it becomes more acute during the monsoons, driving policymakers to focus primarily on surviving the monsoon season. However, this short-term thinking overlooks the need for a sustainable, long-term solution to water-logging.
Last year, on the night of September 21, an electric wire fell on the road during a rainstorm in the Dhaka Commerce College area in Mirpur, resulting in the deaths of five people, including four members of the same family. Despite these tragic incidents, authorities remain largely unshaken.
One of the main causes of waterlogging is the poor drainage system. Illegal encroachments and solid waste clog canals, the primary means of water drainage, preventing water from flowing to the river through city's canals, drains, box culverts, and sewage lines. Polythene and other non-perishable materials exacerbate the problem by blocking drains, leading to water-logging.
To solve this issue, adequate drains must be constructed and existing drains, box culverts, and brick sewer lines should be kept clean and functional. Ensuring that rainwater can easily flow into rivers through drains is crucial. Preserving the canals and rivers around all cities, including Dhaka and Chittagong, is also essential.
However, the responsibility cannot rest solely on the government or city corporations. Many citizens contribute to waterlogging by throwing waste into drains. So, citizens must be vigilant and encourage others to do the same. With collective effort, it is possible to eliminate waterlogging.
Asif Islam
Student
Jahangirnagar University