Water-logging
Photo: Adnan/Driknews
Water-logging is now a common problem in Dhaka and Chittagong cities during heavy downpour in every monsoon. These two cities have experienced severe water-logging for the last decade or so. Even a little rain causes a serious problem for certain areas. All the water bodies and open spaces have been turned into built-up areas cashing in on the absence of a complete master plan. Due to lack of open space, rainwater can't percolate into the ground and it stays over, contributing to water-logging. According to various sources, there were 43 canals in Dhaka city. At present only 23 canals are there, the rest 20 canals have already disappeared. On the other hand, inadequate drainage system failed to accommodate the heavy load of discharging out the rivers or canals connected. According to official figures the Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) has now 285 km long pipe drains, 65km drain and 9 km box culverts while Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) has 999.468 km open drain and 1052.98 km pipe drain and in Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) area, total length of drainage is about 416 Km (Pucca-318 Km, and Kutcha-98Km), which is insignificant for these two cities. Besides this, lack of effective coordination between WASA, City Corporation and Development Authorities (like as RAJUK, CDA) are responsible for water-logging in the two cities. Despite torrential rainfall (420.4 mm) on July 27-29, the port city experienced for the first time an amazingly less water-logging this year than ever before. For this remarkable improvement, city dwellers have given credit to the CCC's extensive renovation works including dredging and widening of the existing 144 canals for the last eight months. Because of canal digging and eviction of huge illegal encroachments people didn't confront of water-logging this year. Like Chittagong, Dhaka City Corporation and the authorities concerned should take proper steps to restore canals and wetlands. Beside this, it needs proper recycle management, because polythene and similar substances are creating an unnecessary hindrance to flow of water through insufficient drainage system. Above all, there should be a comprehensive storm water drainage improvement plan to overcome the water logging problem as well as its environmental consequences.
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