Heavy rainfall on Thursday evening left Dhaka residents grappling with severe waterlogging once again. Despite promises of improvement, both the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) have failed to alleviate the crisis since taking over responsibilities from the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) two years ago.
Meteorologist Omar Farooq said that Dhaka recorded a staggering 113 millimetres of rain between 6pm and 12am on Thursday night. DNCC Chief Executive Officer Salim Reza reported even higher rainfall figures, ranging from 120 to 125 millimeters, leading to widespread waterlogging in various areas.
Reza pointed out the issues plaguing the city's drainage system, including blocked drain holes clogged with polythene and garbage. He emphasized the necessity of community involvement in maintaining cleanliness and ensuring the effectiveness of the drainage system.
Mayor Atiqul Islam of DNCC initially blamed WASA for the waterlogging issues and assured the public that steps would be taken to resolve them under DNCC's jurisdiction. Similarly, Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh of DSCC pledged to eliminate waterlogging by prioritizing waste removal.
However, the recent heavy rains have exposed the lack of coordination in drainage management, rainwater disposal, and waste management within Dhaka city. The two city corporations have thus far been unable to protect their citizens from the harrowing conditions of waterlogging.
Iftikhar Ahmed Chowdhury, joint secretary and chief waste management officer of DSCC, said the relatively narrow drainage systems created by WASA do not align with those managed by DSCC, contributing to the ongoing waterlogging crisis. Meanwhile, Maqsood Hashem, chief town planner of DNCC, expressed uncertainty regarding the steps taken since the transfer of responsibilities from WASA.
The consequences of Thursday's heavy rainfall were felt across Dhaka, with roads submerged and traffic coming to a standstill in some areas. DNCC's Quick Response Team has been actively addressing the waterlogging situation and working to restore normalcy since Thursday night.
Despite the challenges, officials from both city corporations claim they are not lacking in manpower. The critical issue remains a lack of effective coordination and management in addressing Dhaka's persistent waterlogging crisis, leaving residents to suffer the consequences of poor planning and execution.