Despite spending Tk9 crore on dredging seven canals and cleaning drains, the Barisal city residents are still not relieved from waterlogging. They blame the filling of canals and new roads and market construction for this issue.
Due to low pressure in the sea, intermittent heavy rainfall from Saturday to Sunday morning has caused waterlogging in most areas of the city.
There is knee-deep water from the Bottola intersection to Government Syed Hatem Ali College. Over 20 branch roads connected to this road are submerged. Similarly, waterlogging has occurred in various places across all 30 city wards.
Bottala residents said that waterlogging occurs whenever it rains; this situation has existed since the canals were filled.
After a canal near the Bottola Mosque intersection was filled up, a multi-storied market constructed and installed a narrow drain, which caused frequent water logging on the roads during the rainy season.
Abdus Salam, a senior resident, said: "After filling the canal connecting to the Kirtankhola, waterlogging started in the area. Before that, there was never any waterlogging in that area during heavy rain. But ever since the canal was filled, our suffering has increased. The water from this road affects 15 to 20 branch roads, making it impossible to leave the houses.
“Even though the city corporation has cleaned the drains, it has not solved the problem. If there is no waterlogging elsewhere, our area will still have water. And for this reason, journalists also flock to our area to report on the waterlogging."
Alfaz Uddin, another city resident, said: "From cleaning drains to dredging canals, some problems have been addressed. However, most of the time, water rises in the city due to the tide in the Kirtankhola river. The biggest problem occurs when the tide and rain coincide. Then, we have to wade through knee-deep water. This condition has become a habit over the years."
Alfaz mentioned that no one is able to provide a solution for when they will be relieved from this water.
Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa) Coordinator Rafiqul Alam said: "Unplanned drainage systems, not dredging canals, and filling up water bodies are causing waterlogging. Although the 2010 master plan identified 46 canals in the city, now only about seven exist, and currently, only about 10% of the water bodies remain. Therefore, due to the lack of sufficient water flow areas, residents are suffering."
He added: "Barisal City Corporation (BCC) residents experience waterlogging in every ward during the monsoon season. After a long time, seven canals were dredged at the beginning of this year. Moreover, the city corporation's initiative to clean the drains is ongoing. Yet, the residents are still not relieved from waterlogging."
BCC Chief Executive Officer Md Israel Hossain said: "To protect the residents from waterlogging, seven canals have been dredged through the Water Development Board, and ongoing efforts are being made to ensure that drains do not clog."
Regarding the flood protection embankment, he said: "No initiative can be taken without elected representatives, although it is in the corporation's plans."
Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) Executive Engineer Khalid Bin Walid said that despite surveys showing no rise in the Kirtankhola River's water level, waterlogging persists due to filled canals and low-lying areas being used for construction. To combat this, BWDB spent Tk9 crore to dredge seven canals, significantly alleviating the issue.
He emphasized the urgent need for a city protection embankment along the Kirtankhola river to prevent flooding during rains and high tides. Continuous canal dredging and drain maintenance are also necessary, and the city corporation needs to play a proactive role. Paubo is prepared to provide assistance if requested.
