Heavy rainfall continued on Wednesday across the coastal region under the influence of a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, with low-lying areas in nine upazilas of Bagerhat, including Bagerhat Sadar, Morrelganj, Mongla, Sharankhola and Rampal, submerged as a result.
While operations at Mongla port remained officially active, the loading and unloading of rice and fertilizer were disrupted.
The port has been advised to hoist local cautionary signal No 3.
Md Makruzzaman, deputy director of the Mongla Port Authority’s Board and Public Relations Division, said intermittent heavy rains prompted authorities to keep housed local cautionary signal No 3 at the port.
He said: “Currently, seven foreign commercial vessels carrying various goods—including food—are anchored at the port, three of which are carrying gas. Four additional vessels are stationed at Harbaria, loaded with items such as fertilizer and clinker, which could be damaged if exposed to rain. Due to the inclement weather, the unloading of food items from these ships is proceeding sporadically.”
Continuous rainfall has left low-income communities, including rickshaw pullers and day labourers, struggling to earn a living.
Waterlogging has affected various parts of Bagerhat, including the municipal area, Rahat Mor, Sadhana Mor, Nager Bazar, the post office intersection and Shaltala.
River water levels across the district have also risen.
Sumon Sheikh, a tea seller near the Bagerhat municipality, said: “There is water in front of my shop and even inside. I had to keep the shop closed today. It is the same for many nearby vendors.”
Animesh Saha, a local teacher, told Dhaka Tribune: “Just stepping out of the house is difficult. The town’s drainage system is so poor that even light rain causes waterlogging. It is deeply frustrating—we want a permanent solution.”
Md Kalam, a resident of Ward 6, said: “There is knee-deep water around my house. Even the kitchen has flooded. We are draining the water manually—it is a tough situation.”
Meanwhile, rough seas under the influence of the low-pressure system have forced hundreds of fishing trawlers to take shelter along the Sundarbans coast.
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, divisional forest officer (DFO) of the Eastern Sundarbans, said strong gusts over the Bay of Bengal forced hundreds of trawlers to seek refuge in the canals of Katka, Kochikhali, Supoti, and Dublar Char since early morning.
Harunur Rashid, chief meteorologist at the Mongla weather office, said an active monsoon system has created a significant pressure gradient over the northern Bay, increasing the likelihood of squally winds over the region. “As a result, Mongla Port has been advised to maintain local cautionary signal No 3.”