Several days of rain have caused waterlogging in various areas of Dhaka. Alongside this, residents of different neighbourhoods have reported an increase in mosquito infestations and a gas crisis, with the added issue of foul-smelling tap water.
There was waterlogging on roads and alleys in Mirpur, Shewrapara, Shantinagar, Mohammadpur, Farmgate, Tejgaon Truck Stand, Dholai Par, Bangshal, Gulshan Lake area, Badda's Satarkul and other areas in the last few days.
Since last Saturday, Dhaka has experienced intermittent drizzle and occasional downpours. Although the rain has slightly reduced the mugginess, it has caused the capital’s residents significant inconvenience due to the resultant waterlogging.
Even light to moderate rainfall led to waterlogging in most parts of Mirpur, forcing people to wade through knee-deep water to get to work.
Tanisha, a Mirpur resident, said her younger sister was sitting for the HSC exams and had her Bangladesh Second Part test in the morning.
They were met with knee-deep water on the streets when they left their home for the exam centre. A rickshaw ride that normally costs Tk40 came to Tk100. Moreover, despite leaving 30 minutes early, they faced difficulties reaching the centre because of heavy traffic.
Monsoon rain puts around 50,000 people in Teknaf at landslide riskMosquito menace
Kamal Uddin, a resident of the Dhaka North City Corporation’s Ward 39, told this correspondent that while the waterlogging in alleys was causing discomfort, the increase in the number of mosquitoes was even more troublesome.
Previously, the city corporation would regularly spray pesticides for mosquito control, but that was no longer happening, he complained.
Moktar Hossain, a resident of Badda’s Satarkul area, said: "It seems like mosquitoes are being bred in this area. DSCC occasionally sprays mosquito repellent, but not where mosquitoes breed. The nearby Sutibhola canal is also full of garbage. The stench of dirty water reaches our homes. After the rain, all the mosquitoes from there have now come into our houses."
Akram, a resident of DSCC’s Ward 41 and a university student, said: "Mosquito repellent is no longer sprayed in this area. The vacant spaces between houses, where people cannot walk, are filled with garbage. That’s where mosquitoes breed. We can’t stay in our rooms even during the day because of the mosquitoes. My roommate has a high fever and is hospitalized with dengue."
Heavy rain disrupts city life in Chittagong, triggers landslide riskSevere gas shortage
Residents have also been suffering from a gas shortage during these rainy days.
People in areas like Banglabazar, Koltabazar, Kazi Abdur Rouf Lane, Haji Abdul Majid Lane, Rokanpur, Roser Gali, 5 Bhai Ghat Lane, South Muhsindi, Roy Saheb Bazaar, Banianagar, Tong Market, Dholai Khal, Bangshal, Nawabpur, Nazirabazar, Nandlal Dutta Lane, Urdu Road, Dailpatty, Bakshibazar, Churitala, and Kulutola have complained about the gas crisis.
Asma Begum, a resident of Laxmibazar, said: "There’s no gas at home all day. It comes at night, but only after 12 o’clock. After 2-3 hours, the stove goes dim again. This problem existed before the rain, but now it’s worse."
Regarding the gas shortage, Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company’s General Manager of Operations, Engineer Md. Selim Mia, said: "The gas lines in that area are very old. Additionally, during winter and rainy seasons, the supply through old lines faces some issues. A project is underway to replace the old gas lines with new ones, which is nearing completion. Once implemented, the old lines will be replaced with new ones, and people will get relief from the gas problem."
HSC students brave rain to reach exam centres in DhakaIncreased smell in Wasa water
Residents behind Kabi Nazrul Government College in Koltabazar collect water from an open line near a salt warehouse.
College and university students living in nearby dormitories also collect water from there.
Suddenly, the water has started to smell bad. The same issue is occurring in the water lines of nearby houses.
Saudia, a resident of Koltabazar, said: "It’s disgusting to even use this water for cooking, let alone drinking. Later, we brought water from the Wasa booth. Today, that too wasn’t good. When we asked about the cause of the smell, no one at the Wasa booth said anything."
A student of Jagannath University, Afran, said: "We all used line water in our dormitory. But now, we can’t bring the water near our noses. With no other option, we are buying drinking water from shops."
Attempts to get comments from several responsible officials of Dhaka Wasa about the water odor were unsuccessful.
Stopgap solutions will not fix waterloggingWaterlogging and mosquito infestation
Public Relations Officer Abu Naser, referring to the Waste Management Department, said: "Our team is working tirelessly to resolve waterlogging. Where water is stagnant, our workers find polythene stuck in manhole covers and drains full of plastic. This primarily prevents the water from flowing normally. As soon as we get a call, our team is working to solve the waterlogging."
Regarding the increased mosquito infestation, he said: "Instructions have been given to spray regularly in every ward for mosquito control. City residents have benefited from mosquito control activities so far. The city corporation has resumed operations. Establishments with garbage or Aedes larvae are being fined."
