Comilla’s main food storage facility in Dharmapur is submerged in knee to waist-deep water, with the entire area having turned into a reservoir of thick, tar-like toxic water, and the surroundings resembling a garbage dump.
This scene persists year-round, whether in dry or rainy seasons.
According to warehouse authorities, the water causing the waterlogging originates from the Comilla City Corporation.
For years, water from houses, businesses, and drainage systems in the city has been flowing into the area.
Since the city corporation has not taken alternative drainage measures, water has accumulated and caused severe waterlogging across the food storage complex.
Despite sending multiple written and verbal notifications to the city corporation requesting drainage solutions, no action has been taken, the warehouse authorities said.
Locals say the problem dates back to 2017.
A former local councillor of Ashoktola blocked the natural drainage route for areas including Bagichagaon, Ashoktola, Rani Bazar, and the BSCIC industrial area.
As a result, without a direct outlet, the water now enters the food warehouse premises, causing the current waterlogging crisis.
Several residents of Ashoktola noted that the collapse of the drainage infrastructure has left surrounding residential and commercial areas flooded with dirty water from the city drains, and the same water also enters the food storage facility.
There is no sustainable drainage system in place. Previously, several drainage outlets existed, but they were blocked during the Dhaka–Chittagong railway expansion near the warehouse.
This food warehouse, used for food storage since 1960, has a total of 14 warehouses, both new and old, with a storage capacity of 10,500 tons.
However, due to waterlogging, eight of them have become unusable, reducing the overall capacity by half.
Several laborers involved in food loading and unloading reported that the damp, waterlogged environment is damaging stored rice, paddy, and wheat.
Additionally, all roads in the warehouse area are submerged, broken, and riddled with potholes, severely hampering food transportation.
Despite the ongoing crisis since 2017, no repair initiative has been taken.
Workers also mentioned that handling goods in stagnant, polluted water has led to skin infections and other waterborne diseases.
Many transport drivers are now reluctant to enter the warehouse area with their vehicles.
Concerned city residents commented that the drainage paths were blocked long ago.
Rather than resolving the issue, the City Corporation has burdened the food warehouse by diverting residential and drainage water into the area, turning it into a waste dump, they said.
They added that this environment is completely unsuitable for food storage and urged the district food controller to take legal action against the city corporation.
They further pointed out that the Dharmapur food storage facility supplies rations to police, BGB, army, and other law enforcement agencies, adding that it also provides emergency food relief to disaster victims.
Kamrun Nahar, the storage and transport officer of the food warehouse, said that despite repeated notifications, the city corporation has ignored the issue.
She said: “Since 2017, the city corporation has been perpetuating this situation. There used to be drainage paths under the railway, but during railway development, the culverts were demolished.
“As a result, water from the city corporation now collects here, submerging the warehouse buildings, entry points, and the entire area throughout the year.”
Comilla Food Controller Subir Nath Chowdhury said they have repeatedly informed the city corporation, both in writing and verbally, to create alternative outlets for residential and drainage water, but no measures have been taken.
“Now we cannot even reach the chief executive of the city corporation in person,” he added.
“If the city corporation does not act soon, we will block the water inlets into the warehouse area.”
He added that the Ministry of Food has submitted a Tk100 crore development project for the food warehouse to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec).
Though the work was expected to begin at the start of the fiscal year, it was delayed due to the change in government.
However, the food adviser has assured that the project will be implemented as soon as possible.
When asked about the allegations, Comilla City Corporation Chief Executive Officer Md Shamsul Alam said he does not know about it.
“The engineers might be aware. It is not my concern,” he added and dismissed the issue.