CHATTOGRAM, Aug 26: Traders of Khatunganj and Chaktai commodity hubs in the port city have suffered huge losses as their stocks have been damaged by flash flood.
Heavy downpour and tidal surge have caused waterlogging at the commercial hubs, damaging essential commodities at their go-downs.
Heavy downpour has disrupted normal life in the district and the people living in low-lying areas got stranded in the stagnant water.
Besides, tidal water entered Chaktai, Khatunganj and Asadganj areas, inundating maximum go-downs of rice, onion and some other commodities.
Traders said the flash flood has damaged large quantities of commodities, including onion, garlic, rice, lentils, sugar, tea and spices.
"Floodwater stormed into shops and warehouses at the wholesale markets, damaging essential commodities," a trader said.
The Khatunganj Trade and Industries Association says that Khatunganj and Chaktai commercial hubs house about 4,000 businesses and more than 6,000 warehouses.
The daily turnover in the wholesale market stands at Tk 1500- 2,000 crores, it adds.
Traders said they had to incur huge losses due to the chronic waterlogging problem.
FBCCI president Mahabubul Alam said, "Waterlogging has increased this year due to the incessant rain and tidal water, damaging goods at maximum go-downs at Chaktai, Khatunganj and Asadganj."
He has called upon the government to take immediate action to solve the waterlogging crisis in Chattogram.
Khatunganj Arothdar Samity general secretary Md Mohiuddin said, "Tidal water entered Chaktai, Khatunganj and Asadganj areas, submerging maximum go-downs of essential commodities."
"We are the worst sufferers from the waterlogging in the port city," Chaktai Merchant Association President Harun Ur Rashid said.
Syed Sagir Ahmad, general secretary of the Khatunganj Trade and Industries Association, has suggested that the government should put special emphasis on resolving the waterlogging problem in Chaktai and Khatunganj commercial hubs.
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