Comilla city has been left paralyzed by severe waterlogging after a record 179mm of rainfall was recorded over the past 24 hours – the season’s heaviest so far, according to the local meteorological office. From Thursday morning to Friday morning, continuous heavy to very heavy rain submerged roads and alleys, causing widespread public suffering.
CNG-run autorickshaws, battery-operated rickshaws, and other public transport were seen struggling through knee-deep water across the city. Many vehicles broke down while attempting to navigate the flooded streets.
Water also entered shops, businesses, schools, colleges, mosques, madrasas, and homes in various neighbourhoods, disrupting daily life and leaving residents in distress. Cooking became a major challenge in affected areas.
People travelling to the city from upazilas and other districts for urgent matters faced even greater difficulties. The waterlogging brought the income-generating activities of low-income residents to a standstill.
Despite the crisis, no visible actions were taken by the city corporation to alleviate the waterlogging, drawing widespread frustration and anger from locals.
Several people, including women, were injured after falling into submerged potholes, drains, and open sewers. A video of a woman falling into a drain went viral on Facebook, prompting public outrage against Comilla City Corporation on social media.
A visit to several parts of the city on Friday morning revealed extensive waterlogging on major roads such as Laksam Road (from the education board to the Roads and Highways Department), Tomchom Bridge to EPZ, Kandirpar to Ranirbazar, and Police Lines to Fouzdari Mor Road.
Additionally, most of the lower-lying neighbourhoods—including Thakurpara, Ashoktola, Bagichagaon, Kaliajuri, Mohila College Road, and Shaktala—were submerged.
Thakurpara resident Mokhlesur Rahman said: “Throughout the year, we see development work on roads and drainage systems being undertaken by Comilla City Corporation. A large portion of the budget is spent on constructing drains and roads.”
He added: “Yet, with just a little rain during the monsoon, the streets flood. Due to the absence of a sustainable drainage system, the accumulated water causes severe waterlogging.”
He further added: “Today's flooding is proof that these so-called development works bring no real relief to the city’s residents.”
Abdul Hai, a CNG auto-rickshaw driver, said: “Water started to accumulate on the roads from Thursday morning. On Friday, when I took my vehicle out in the rain, I ran into trouble.”
He added: “After picking up a passenger at Tomchom Bridge, the vehicle broke down in front of the New Hostel as water entered the engine. I had to drag the vehicle to the Comilla Education Board.”
He further added: “Driving in the city becomes extremely difficult whenever it rains. The city corporation must arrange for quick water drainage.”
Humayun Kabir, who had travelled from Laksam to attend a job exam in Comilla, recounted his ordeal. His exam was scheduled for 10am, and he took an auto-rickshaw from Padua Bazar to Kandirpar.
However, the vehicle broke down in front of the Roads and Highways Department building due to waterlogging.
He then had to walk and look for transport in between, only to face severe shortages and excessive fares. Eventually, he walked through the water to reach Kandirpar.
Like Humayun, hundreds of people endured immense hardship on Friday while navigating the city.
Attempts to reach several city corporation officials to inquire about measures taken to address the waterlogging were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, due to heavy rain and gusty winds over the past 24 hours, electrical poles, transformers, trees, and homes were damaged in various upazilas of Comilla. Vegetable crops and other produce in the fields were also destroyed.
