Some residents of Chittagong city's Halishahar yesterday demanded immediate removal of a dam set up across Moheshkhal as, what they said, it creates waterlogging in the area.

They also sought a sluice gate at the mouth of the canal to mitigate the crisis.

At a press conference, the residents of Munirnagar and South Halishahar under the banner of "Conscious citizens of ward-37 and 38"also threatened to start a tough movement if their demands are not met in a month.

"Although there was no rain during the last few days, our houses are being flooded every day due to tide of Moheshkhal. We neither can cook nor bring food from outside," said Habib Sharif, member secretary of the platform.

They said they handed over a memoran-

dum to Chittagong Port Authority to press the demands on July 13, but to no avail.

CPA built the dam in September 2015 to ease the waterlogging problem of Agrabad and Halishahar areas caused by rain and tidal water.

Although it largely solved the problem in Agrabad CDA, Halishahar, Chotopul, and Boropul areas, a new problem arose as the initiative brought misfortune upon residents of South Middle Halishahar area in ward no-37 and 38, who are now experiencing flood for the obstruction of the canal's natural water flow, according to the residents.

The Daily Star published a story on the issue on July 24.

CPA member (planning and administration) Zafar Alam at that time said the demand for removal of the dam was not logical as there might be many other reasons for such waterlogging.