Thousands of residents in Kaliakoir Municipality of Gazipur continue to suffer from severe waterlogging after three hours of continuous rainfall submerged several neighborhoods. Six days after the downpour, floodwater had still not receded in many areas as of Sunday noon.
The worst-affected localities include Harinhati, Habibpur, Biswaspara, Rupnagar, Shialpara, areas near the East Chandra Chapra Mosque, Haratkitla, the East Chandra Jora Pump area, and the Apex Factory area of Biswaspara. According to local residents, inadequate drainage facilities have left rainwater trapped across these neighborhoods.
Normal life has been severely disrupted as knee-deep to waist-deep water has entered homes, roads, educational institutions, and business establishments. Approximately 5,000 families have been affected by the waterlogging, with many forced to seek shelter on elevated roads or at relatives' homes. Municipal authorities say the water is taking longer to drain due to limitations in the area's drainage system and water retention capacity.
A visit to the affected areas revealed submerged roads, courtyards, and low-lying houses. Many families were seen moving furniture and household belongings to safer places. Residents are also facing shortages of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities.
Locals blame unplanned urbanization, encroachment of canals and water bodies, and an inadequate drainage network for the recurring waterlogging. They say the problem becomes particularly severe in industrial zones and densely populated neighborhoods. Residents further allege that certain structures built by the Safipur Ansar VDP Academy have obstructed the natural flow of water beneath the highway, worsening long-term waterlogging in surrounding areas.
Awlad Hossain, a garment worker living near the East Chandra Chapra Mosque, said, “There has been water inside my house for four days. I cannot leave my family behind and go to work. If I miss work, I have to answer to my employer. I have already been absent for four days and fear I may lose my job.”
Nazma Akhtar, a housewife from Harinhati, described her ordeal: “The water inside our house is waist-deep. Much of our furniture has been damaged. My husband struggles to bring dry food from the market at night. We somehow spend the nights on the elevated roadside, but there is still no sign of the water receding.”
Soleman Badsha, a resident of Haratkitla, said that the area's narrow drains are unable to carry away the accumulated water. “Our homes have remained flooded for four days. We are trying to remove the water ourselves by creating temporary channels,” he said. Students and workers commuting to schools and workplaces are facing severe difficulties.
Abu Musa, a garment worker from Rupnagar, said water accumulates in the area even after minor rainfall. “This three-hour downpour completely submerged our homes. The water has remained for four days. Shops have suffered losses as goods were damaged, and customers cannot reach businesses because roads are underwater. Living in these conditions with children and elderly family members has become extremely difficult,” he said, calling for a permanent solution to the problem.
Business owners reported losses worth several lakh taka after floodwater entered their establishments. Health concerns have also emerged due to the spread of contaminated water mixed with waste from nearby dyeing factories. Many factory workers have been forced to travel through waist-deep water to reach their workplaces.
Kaliakoir Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) AHM Fakhrul Hossain said municipal sanitation and engineering teams are actively working to drain the water. “The canals within the municipality have exceeded their carrying capacity, slowing the drainage process. Drain-cleaning operations are underway in several locations, and water levels have already started to fall in some areas,” he said.
The UNO added that the construction of homes in low-lying areas and the lack of adequate drainage space have contributed to the prolonged flooding. Multiple administrative teams are working to address the situation, and authorities are hopeful that the water will recede soon. He also said initiatives would be taken to re-excavate filled-up drains and canals to prevent similar incidents in the future.