Heavy Rain Leaves Chattogram Waterlogged Again, 167mm Recorded in 24 Hours

Heavy rainfall has once again caused widespread waterlogging in several parts of Chattogram city, with 167mm of rain recorded over the past 24 hours.

Continuous rain since Monday morning (17 August) inundated roads and alleys in low-lying areas, causing severe disruption for students, office-goers and pedestrians.

Areas including Halishahar, Katalganj, Hamzarbagh, Muradpur, Bibirhat, SM Road, Chawkbazar, Kapasgola, Reazuddin Bazar, Jamalkhan and Nupur Market were among the worst affected. In several places, water reached knee level, while some areas experienced even deeper flooding, disrupting traffic and making movement difficult.

Abdur Rahman Khan, deputy director of the Chattogram Patenga Meteorological Office, said 81mm of rainfall was recorded between 6am and 9am on Monday.

“A total of 167mm of rainfall has been recorded over the past 24 hours, and rain is still continuing,” he said.

He added that local cautionary signal No. 3 remained in force for Chattogram port.

The waterlogging also reduced the number of public buses operating on major roads. Rickshaw and other small-vehicle drivers were reportedly charging passengers significantly higher fares than usual.

Md Ashraful Alam, a private-sector employee from Bibirhat, said he had to pay Tk40 for a rickshaw ride that normally costs Tk20.

“There is water in front of my house, but I still have to go to work. There seems to be no end to our suffering,” he said.

Office-goer Azgar Ali, who was waiting for transport in Hamzarbagh, said fewer vehicles were operating and commuters were rushing to board whenever one arrived. Standing water was also making movement difficult, he added.

Waterlogging also affected Nupur Market in the New Market area, where water entered several bookshops and damaged books. Shopkeepers expressed concern that prolonged waterlogging could cause further losses.

Attempts were made to contact Chattogram City Corporation Chief Cleaning Officer Captain Ikhtiar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury for comments on the situation and drainage measures, but he did not respond.

Ahmmad Moinuddin, project director and executive engineer of the Chattogram Development Authority’s waterlogging mitigation project, said he was currently outside Chattogram and advised contacting the Army project director for an update.

Residents said that despite repeated initiatives during every monsoon season, the same areas continue to become submerged after only a few hours of heavy rain.

They called for stronger coordination among the authorities and effective long-term measures to improve the city’s drainage system and provide a permanent solution to recurring waterlogging.