After a prolonged heatwave, continuous heavy rainfall brought some relief to residents of the capital, offering a brief respite from the intense heat that had left city dwellers exhausted over the past several days.
However, the relief was short-lived. Soon after the downpour, waterlogging developed in various parts of the city, causing renewed suffering for residents and disrupting daily life.
Heavy rain that began on Sunday afternoon caused water to accumulate across the capital Dhaka, from major roads to narrow alleyways. In many areas, drains overflowed, spilling water onto the streets. Low-lying zones and poorly planned drainage systems led to knee-deep water in some places.
As a result, traffic movement has been severely disrupted. Major roads have experienced intense congestion, and the suffering of commuters returning home after office hours has reached a peak. Many remained stuck on the roads for hours, while others were forced to walk through water to reach their destinations.
Waterlogging was reported in several areas, including Old Dhaka, Bailey Road, Kathalbagan-Katabon, Tantibazar, Sutrapur, Panthapath, Green Road, Mugda, and Basabo. In these places, it became difficult to distinguish between roads and drains, increasing the risk of accidents.
Residents say such waterlogging even after moderate rainfall is a long-standing problem in the capital. Weak drainage systems, lack of regular maintenance, and unplanned urbanization contribute to the issue every year. Many expressed frustration, noting that despite repeated occurrences, no effective long-term solution is visible.
Zahedul Haque, who works at a private office in Motijheel, said his usual one-hour commute to Banasree took around two and a half hours on Sunday. “After the heat, the rain felt good at first, but once I got on the road, it became a struggle. I managed to get an auto-rickshaw for part of the way and had to walk the rest,” he said.
Samina Rahman, a commuter returning home to Malibagh from Paltan, shared a similar experience. “I got drenched on my way back. I was happy watching the rain from the office, but the suffering on the road ruined that feeling. Without the road difficulties, the rain would have been very comforting,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rainfall warning, stating that deep convective cloud systems may form over the northern regions and adjoining areas of the country. As a result, parts of Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions may experience heavy (44–88mm in 24 hours) to very heavy (up to 188mm in 24 hours) rainfall, which could lead to temporary waterlogging in those areas as well.
