We need to be rain-ready

Every time, the same thing happens. As the weekend rains inundated the streets of Dhaka, everyone suffered. Time and again, the poor sewerage system of the city have led to intense flooding which, subsequently, not merely inconvenienced the people who live here, but have resulted in creating chaos. And, time and again, the city remains unprepared. The roads are submerged, people are unable to get to work, thousands are left stranded out of their homes. Is this the kind of mega-city Dhaka is supposed to be? Definitely not. Rains should no longer come as a surprise. It is high time that the authorities came up with a better plan to fight the effects that downpours inevitably lead to. Much of the problem, as has been highlighted before, is due to the woeful drainage system Dhaka currently boasts. This has come about as a result of not only poor planning, but in many cases the inadequate way certain infrastructural developments have progressed. Those in charge must understand one thing: This is not sustainable in the long run. A city that is growing as rapidly as Dhaka currently is, needs to be better prepared for the future. At this rate, places in the city, such as Dhanmondi 27 and Bashundhara, will become more suited for boats than for vehicles. With a problem as recurring as this, and with the seasonal mood swings that Bangladesh boasts -- which include heavy rainfall for a significant amount of time -- what we need is a complete overhaul of the way water is dealt with in the city. For a burgeoning mega-city, this is an essential step towards betterment and development.