Following a day of dry weather, Dhaka experienced a sudden and continuous downpour for an hour in the afternoon on Wednesday.
While roads were inundated due to water accumulation, a transportation crisis unfolded. Even though rickshaws were available, their drivers were demanding double the usual fare.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has forecasted heavy rain in various parts of the country over the next 24 hours.
The capital's sky had remained clear throughout Wednesday morning, showing no signs of rain. However, by afternoon, the sky gradually clouded over. Light rain began around 4pm, which soon escalated. By 5:15pm, the rain had subsided, but numerous roads in Dhaka were partially submerged, posing risks to pedestrians leaving their offices.
During the rain, vehicles were seen navigating the roads with their headlights on. Pedestrians rushed to their destinations, getting soaked in the process. Some resorted to taking rickshaws, while others held their shoes in hand to avoid dirty water as they crossed the streets. Motorcycle and car users also faced difficulties, as water and dirt entered their engines.
Simultaneously, the heavy rainfall led to waterlogging in various parts of the capital. Shahbagh, Banglamator, Dhanmondi, Moghbazar, Motijheel, Kakrail, Shantinagar, Malibagh, Mouchak, Bailey Road, Paltan, and other areas of Dhaka, including the vicinity of the Press Club, were inundated by rainwater. The residents of Old Dhaka suffered the most due to the flooding.
Sirajul Islam, chief urban planner of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), noted that waterlogging remains a recurrent challenge in Dhaka city. However, the city no longer becomes submerged with minimal rainfall, as it used to.
The corporation consistently cleans drains, sewers, and canals within its jurisdiction to mitigate waterlogging. Additionally, some waterlogging resulted from ongoing road construction in certain areas, which will be resolved in the coming days, he added.
The meteorological department stated that the monsoon axis extends across Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, northern parts of Bangladesh, and Assam. An extension of this axis stretches over the northern Bay of Bengal. Monsoon activity is substantial over Bangladesh and moderate over the North Bay of Bengal.
Over the next 24 hours, light to moderate rain or thundershowers with temporary gusty winds are predicted in various locations of Rangpur and Chittagong divisions and in some places within Rajshahi, Dhaka, Barisal, Mymensingh, Khulna, and Sylhet divisions. Additionally, moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in certain parts of the country.
Daytime temperatures are likely to increase by 1 to 3 degrees Celsius nationwide, while nighttime temperatures may experience slight increments.
