Heavy rain has once again exposed the chronic drainage crisis in Dhaka’s Mirpur, with key roads, intersections, and residential areas going under water within hours of downpours, leaving thousands of commuters stranded and raising fresh questions about the city’s preparedness for the monsoon.
Some of the worst-hit areas include Mirpur-10, Kazipara, and Shewrapara, where moderate to heavy rainfall regularly overwhelms the drainage network, turning major roads into temporary canals and disrupting traffic for hours.
On several occasions this monsoon, water accumulated so rapidly that vehicles became stranded on flooded roads, causing severe congestion and increasing the risk of engine damage.
Ground-floor homes, shops, and businesses were also inundated in low-lying areas.
The Mirpur-10 intersection, one of the capital’s busiest transport hubs, has emerged as a recurring flashpoint.
Standing water frequently reduces traffic movement to a crawl, forcing commuters to endure lengthy delays and higher transport costs.
The stretch between Kazipara and Shewrapara remains particularly vulnerable.
Residents say water levels can rise to knee or even waist height during intense rainfall, making roads impassable and forcing pedestrians to wade through dirty floodwater.
A college student who regularly travels through the area said repeated flooding has turned daily commuting into a struggle.
“It doesn’t just delay my journey. Walking through knee-deep water is uncomfortable and embarrassing. My uniform has been ruined several times,” she said.
The financial impact is also mounting for commuters.
A private-sector employee said transport costs often double or triple during heavy rain as rickshaw fares surge in flooded areas.
“Waterlogging is not the only problem. Open manholes and damaged roads remain hidden under the water. A few weeks ago, my rickshaw overturned after hitting a submerged pothole,” he said.
Ride-sharing drivers say flooding also threatens their livelihoods.
“Whenever roads go underwater, I worry about my motorcycle engine,” said one driver.
“I’ve had to cancel trips several times to avoid damage. Sometimes passengers leave without paying when that happens.”
Urban planners and residents argue that the recurring crisis is the result of years of unplanned urbanization, inadequate drainage infrastructure, and poor waste management.
Blocked drains filled with plastic and solid waste continue to obstruct water flow, while rapid construction and the disappearance of open spaces have drastically reduced the city’s natural ability to absorb rainwater.
Experts say that unless drainage systems are upgraded and encroached canals and water retention areas are restored, flooding in Mirpur and other parts of the capital is likely to worsen with every monsoon season.
For residents, however, the issue has become less about heavy rain and more about a city that appears unable to drain even routine monsoon water.
Each downpour now brings the same question: how many more years will one of Dhaka’s largest neighborhoods remain underwater every time it rains?
