Tourism city Cox's Bazar submerged under water

Incessant rainfall for a couple of days has submerged the tourism city of Cox's Bazar under water.

As a result, more than two lakh people have been trapped in water as unplanned development has ultimately led to severe waterlogging at different parts of the city.

However, unplanned construction of structures is being blamed for this catastrophic situation of waterlogging.

In this situation, the municipal mayor has said that work is going on to resolve the waterlogging.

On Wednesday afternoon, heavy downpour for a long time caused waterlogging in Link Road, Hajipara, BGB Camp, Alirjahal, Rumaliachra, PT School, Tekpara, Pahartali, Baharchra, Kalatali, and Kutubdia neighbourhood of the city. As a result, the locals are suffering.

According to the locals, this waterlogging is due to the unplanned development and construction of facilities in Cox's Bazar in the last 15 years, along with the filling up of drains, canals and rivers.

Abul Kashem, a resident of Dakshin Baharchhara, said the entire area has been waterlogged since dawn. About two feet of water rose in every room of the ground floor.

They are worried about where the water will go when it rains like this.

He also said that no public representative has inquired about the whereabouts of them in the area.

In this context, member secretary of Cox's Bazar Citizen Movement HM Nazrul said due to construction of unplanned buildings, all the water drainage routes of the city have been closed. "Today's public suffering in Cox's Bazar is due to the encroachment of large drains and canals," he said in frustration.

TUAK General Secretary Nurul Karim Pasha said, "Almost all roads in all hotel-motel zones are now under two feet of water. Because of which the locals as well as the tourists visiting Cox's Bazar are suffering immensely. If water drainage is not constructed quickly, this crisis will increase."

In this regard, Cox's Bazar Mayor Mahbubur Rahman Mabu said, "The locals should come forward to resolve the waterlogging. Work is underway to resolve this issue. We need some time."

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department said that 334mm of rainfall was recorded in Cox's Bazar district from 3pm on Wednesday to 7pm on Thursday.