Dhaka and Chattogram face severe flooding due to drainage failures

Heavy rainfall has caused widespread waterlogging and flooding across major Bangladeshi cities, including Dhaka and Chattogram. In Dhaka, 49mm of rain fell within nine hours, submerging numerous neighborhoods such as Dhanmondi, Mirpur, and New Market, which disrupted traffic and led to the cancellation of school events and university examinations.

A significant factor in Dhaka's flooding is the failure of the drainage infrastructure. Along the Buriganga River, the Dhaka South City Corporation manages 55 sluice gates, but only 24 are fully operational. Sixteen gates are completely non-functional, and 15 are only partially working. Officials noted that a lack of manpower and maintenance structures prevents effective operation, particularly during high tides when gates must be managed to prevent river water from flowing back into the city.

In Chattogram, torrential rain left areas like Reazuddin Bazar submerged under knee-deep water. Experts suggest that while infrastructure development is ongoing, the recurring issue is driven by a combination of inadequate drainage, encroachment on wetlands, poor waste management, and the intensifying effects of climate change.