Commuters suffer as downpour leaves Dhaka streets waterlogged

Downpour triggered waterlogging in different parts of the capital on Sunday morning, causing suffering for commuters.

The rain, accompanied by thunderstorms, started after 4:00am and continued until around 8:00am, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

It recorded 49 mm of rainfall in Dhaka between 12:00am and 9:00am.

Roads in many areas, including Malibagh, Mouchak, Moghbazar, Green Road, Karwan Bazar, Panthapath, Jigatala, Dhanmondi, West Tejturi Bazar, West Shewrapara, Mirpur-10, Kazipara, Paltan and Madhubagh, were inundated by the downpour.

Commuters, especially office-goers and students, faced difficulties reaching their destinations due to a shortage of public transport and waterlogged roads.

In many areas, vehicles moved slowly while pedestrians waded through the waterlogged streets.

Jamal Hossain was travelling from Badda to his office in Mouchak.

“After getting down from the bus at Malibagh Railgate, I had to wade through knee-deep water to reach my destination. The entire stretch between the Railgate and Mouchak remained waterlogged,” he said.

Jamal also said severe traffic congestion developed on the road from Rampura TV Centre to Abul Hotel crossing, compounding commuters’ woes.

Commuters experienced similar difficulties in other parts of the city, with water reaching the footrests of rickshaws in some places.

There was also a shortage of buses due to the rain and waterlogged streets, forcing many people to rely on rickshaws or walk.

Rickshaw pullers were seen charging higher fares, in some cases nearly double the usual fares.

According to the BMD, light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds are likely at a few places over Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and at one or two places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh and Dhaka divisions, with moderately heavy falls at places across the country.

A mild heat wave is sweeping over Sylhet division and the districts of Gopalganj, Narayanganj, Bogura, Netrokona, Cumilla, Chandpur, Feni, Chattogram, Lakshmipur, Khulna, Satkhira and Barishal, and it may continue, it said.

Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country.

Source: UNB NEWS