Heavy rain triggered severe waterlogging in several parts of Rajshahi city and Chapainawabganj town causing widespread suffering for residents and disrupting normal movement.
The Rajshahi Weather Office recorded 99.4 millimetres of rainfall on Wednesday morning, the highest rainfall recorded in the city this season.
Several major roads and lanes were inundated, including areas in front of the Divisional Commissioner’s Office and Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, as well as Barnali intersection, Hetemkha and Laxmipur. In some areas, knee-deep water covered the roads.
Motorcycles and auto-rickshaws became stranded in the water, while office-goers, students and pedestrians struggled to move through the flooded streets. The situation caused traffic disruptions and made it difficult for people to reach their workplaces, educational institutions and other destinations.
Although the water began to recede after the rain stopped, normal movement remained disrupted throughout the morning.
Anwar Hossain, a resident of the Barnali intersection area, said even a short spell of rain often leaves roads flooded.
“Rajshahi is known as one of the country’s cleanest and most beautiful cities, but even a little rain causes waterlogging, making it difficult to move around. The drains are not cleaned regularly, which makes the problem worse,” he said.
College student Anika Tabassum said waterlogging frequently creates problems for students.
“Even moderate rain makes it difficult to attend classes. Road water often mixes with waste from the drains, creating an unbearable stench,” she said.
The latest downpour has once again exposed Rajshahi’s persistent waterlogging problem, leaving residents to suffer from flooded roads, traffic disruption and foul-smelling stagnant water.
Mostafa Kamal Hossain, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Rajshahi, also said rainfall at this stage creates favourable conditions for better growth and yield of Aman rice. He said adequate water is particularly important during the flowering and grain-forming stages of the crop for achieving a good yield.
Rainwater has entered homes, government offices, educational institutions, student hostels and other establishments in Chapainawabganj town. Several roads have been submerged under ankle-deep water, while water has risen to knee level in some areas.
Light rain began on Tuesday evening before turning into heavy downpours around midnight. As a result, several areas of the municipality, including Arambagh, Shantir Mor, Batenkhan’s Mor, Old Market, New Market and Udayan Mor, have been flooded.
Several roads have become nearly impassable due to the waterlogging. In some areas, residents have been temporarily confined to their homes as water accumulated in front of their houses. Parts of kitchens and tube-wells have also gone underwater, while water has entered several student hostels.
Local residents blamed inadequate drainage facilities, poor maintenance of existing drains and unplanned urbanisation for the recurring waterlogging in the municipality. They said even moderate rainfall often causes several areas to become flooded.
Safi, a resident of Arambagh, said, “Even when there was heavy rain in the past, water never entered our homes. This time, our houses have been flooded. We are struggling to protect our belongings. We urge the municipal authorities to take immediate measures to address the problem.”
Faisal, a student of Nawabganj Government College, said, “Rainwater entered our hostel and soaked all our books and notebooks. We also had to struggle to drain the water from our room.”
Tawfiqul Islam, executive engineer of Chapainawabganj Municipality, said, “It rained continuously from 9pm to 9am, causing several parts of the municipality to become waterlogged. The water will gradually recede.
