Two-hour rain inundates low-lying areas of Chattogram city

Just two hours of morning rainfall has caused severe waterlogging in various low-lying areas of the port city of Chattogram. Major roads including Muradpur, Bahaddarhat, Probortak Mor, Halishahar and Eidgah have gone under water, bringing normal life to a standstill. Schoolgoing children, office-bound commuters and day labourers are suffering immensely as a result.

According to the Patenga weather office, only 10 millimetres of rainfall was recorded in the city from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on Tuesday, April 28. The modest rainfall caused waterlogging in Probortak Mor, Rahmatganj, Katalganj and Muradpur areas. In addition to traffic congestion on the roads, buses and CNG-run autorickshaws have stopped operating in many places. Rickshaw pullers are reportedly charging several times the normal fare, taking advantage of the situation.

Nazmul, an office worker, expressed his frustration, saying he could not walk due to the water in the Probortak area. Rickshaw pullers are charging double the usual fare, taking advantage of the situation. Fares that normally cost Tk 30 now cost Tk 50-60, he said.