M R Amin, Chattogram

Continuous rainfall over the past few days has severely disrupted daily life in Chattogram. The situation worsened further with heavy downpours starting early Tuesday morning, resulting in widespread waterlogging, collapse of transport systems in nearby upazilas, and a significant rise in the risk of landslides.

Low-lying areas flooded, roads submerged : 

Many houses and shops have been inundated in areas such as Bahaddarhat, Bakalia, Agrabad, Khatunganj, Halishahar, Chawk Bazar, Kadamtali, O.R. Nizam Road, Gate No. 2, Lalkhan Bazar, and Bayezid Bostami in Chattogram city.

Local residents complain that the same scenes repeat every monsoon, yet Chattogram City Corporation and WASA fail to take any preparatory measures. Due to inadequate and poorly maintained drainage systems, it takes a long time for floodwater to recede.

Waterlogging in Patenga and Agrabad has also disrupted container transport to the Chattogram port. According to port sources, loading and unloading activities have been hampered by the continuous rainfall.

Risk of landslides in hillside areas :

There is growing concern over potential landslides in illegal hillside settlements near the railway line in Pahartali and Lalkhan Bazar. In response, the district administration and fire service have identified high-risk settlements and have started relocating hundreds of families to safer areas.

Commander Ikhtiyar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, Chief Cleaning Officer of the Chattogram City Corporation, said, “Some city roads are elevated, but the connecting link roads are lower. Even after cleaning the drains repeatedly in these areas, it doesn’t help much. These roads must be leveled through engineering solutions.”

“For now, drainage lines in areas at risk of water accumulation are being cleaned. Our city corporation teams are on standby, and swift actions are being taken as soon as we receive reports of waterlogging.”

Meanwhile, the Chattogram district administration has urged residents in landslide-prone areas to relocate to safety. Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) and Secretary of the Hill Management Committee, Sadi Ur Rahim Jadid, stated, “Miking and monitoring have been intensified in vulnerable hillside areas. Over the past three days, we’ve formed zonal committees to evacuate residents from risky settlements, and the process is being closely monitored. With support from local representatives and volunteers, we’re moving people from hill areas to safety. All schools and community centers have been opened as shelters.”

Md. Hafizur Rahman, Director of the Chattogram Meteorological Office, said, “The southwest monsoon is currently active over the northern Bay of Bengal. Under its influence, heavy to very heavy rain is expected in Chattogram, Barishal, Khulna, and Sylhet divisions over the next 24 hours. Prolonged rainfall may cause disasters in hilly and low-lying areas. Rainfall is likely to intensify further in the next 48 hours.”

Landslide risk delays long-awaited road safety measures : 

To ease traffic congestion in Chattogram, the government constructed the Bayezid-Faujdarhat Link Road. The road has been operational for over a year. However, despite the clear danger, no action has been taken to address 16 dangerously steep hills flanking the road. 

The recent heavy rains have already triggered landslides in those hills. Following recommendations from the Department of Environment after continuous downpours, the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) has decided to suspend vehicular movement on the road.