Heavy rainfall since Wednesday morning has led to severe waterlogging in various neighbourhoods of Gazipur's Sreepur municipality, causing significant distress for residents.
The flooding has forced people to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary, and those who need to go out face considerable difficulties.
Local residents have expressed their frustration, noting that despite regular revenue collection, the municipality fails to provide adequate services. The flooding has affected important areas of the city, but the municipality has taken no action to address the issue, leading to widespread dissatisfaction.
Sreepur Municipal Secretary Rafiqul Islam said: "There is nothing to be done for now."
Observations around the city revealed that traders are struggling as water has inundated their businesses after just an hour and a half of rain.
Residents such as Taiyab Mandal, Kazi Aktar Hossain, and Zubair Hossain from Ward No. 1 reported that heavy rain in the morning submerged streets and roads, causing difficulties for those needing to go out for urgent matters.
Ariful Islam, a resident of Ward No. 2, questioned the municipality's effectiveness: "Citizens pay taxes on time but receive nothing in terms of services. We demand that the drains be cleaned as soon as possible to resolve the waterlogging."
Businessman Aman Ullah said: "The municipal authorities have constructed drains, but they are shallow and filled with garbage. This leads to waterlogging even with a little rain, as the garbage comes onto the roads with the rainwater. Ordinary citizens suffer indescribably."
Local landlords Nazrul Islam and Zakir Hossain added: "Heavy rains have caused permanent waterlogging in houses because garbage clogs the drains. The drains were constructed without following proper rules or monitoring, causing residents to suffer."
Amir Hossain from the Karitla area said: "It’s impossible to walk due to water accumulation on the roads even after light rain. Rickshaw drivers increase fares due to the flooding, charging Tk50 instead of the usual Tk20. The residents suffer because of poor drainage."
Khorshed Alam, chairman of the Bangladesh River and Nature Foundation and a resident of Ward No. 5, said: "Two hours of sudden rain have led to flooding at various important intersections in the municipality. Traders and residents are forced to walk through dirty water, enduring constant hardship."
Executive Engineer of Sreepur Municipality Shahed Akhtar said: "We are aware of the situation through the councillor. We will undertake repairs in areas where drains are broken as soon as possible. However, there is a manpower shortage in the engineering department, and we lack the resources to address all issues promptly."
Municipal Secretary Rafiqul Islam reiterated: "The issue will be resolved by draining the water from affected areas. Most municipal workers are on holiday for Eid, so there is little that can be done at the moment."