34mm rain floods Khulna city
DIPANKAR ROY, Khulna
Just 34 millimetres of rainfall was enough to inundate two-third of Khulna city, effectively washing away the tall claims of monsoon preparedness by the authorities.
The rainfall was recorded from 1:00pm to 2:30pm, said Amirul Azad, senior meteorological officer.
The status quo caused immense sufferings to city dwellers, who were seen wading through ankle- to knee-deep water to reach their destinations.
Many were stranded in different mosques of the city following Friday prayers.
They blamed lack of proper drainage system for the perennial menace of waterlogging.
Besides, unabated encroachment and pollution over the years has filled up the local canals, contributing to the existing misery, they added.
City dwellers alleged that their sufferings are persisting due to authorities’ indifference.
This correspondent observed knee-deep water in many areas of the city, including Abu Naser Hospital area, BNS road, Sonadanga Mujgunni road, Khulna Jashore Highway, Sheikhpara, Moilapota, KDA Avenue, Khanjahan Ali Road, Lower Jashore Road, Rupsha Strand Road, Polytechnic College Road, Sher-e-Bagla Road, Iqbalnagar, and Gallamary.
Rainwater also flooded Bastuhara Kitchen Market, Chittrali Market, Bastuhara Colony, Boyra, Royer Mahal, Gallamary, Khalishpur BIDC Road and Crescent Jute Mill area. Many human hauliers and battery-run three-wheelers were found stranded on waterlogged roads while many commuters were seen struggling to find transports to reach homes.
According to Asaduzzaman Rokon, a trader in Mujgunni Park, after an hour of rain, the entire area was submerged.
He alleged that the Conservancy Department of KCC does not clean drains regularly. Besides, KCC workers use traditional methods to clean these drains instead of modern technology.
“The situation has been particularly worse for the last couple of years. Meanwhile, encroachment of water bodies has added to the menace,” he added.
A narrow drain behind his shops almost filled with garbage validated his claims. Mujibar Rahman, who lives in ward no -6, echoed the same.
‘’Our road becomes like a canal after a little rain. Today, roads were inundated within an hour,” he added.
Anisur Rahman, conservancy officer of KCC, told The Daily Star that they regularly clean the drains. However, he admitted to having a shortage of manpower and equipment.
Aminul Islam Munna, panel mayor -1, told this newspaper that works to repair and construct drains as well as excavate 22 canals at a cost of Tk 823 crore are underway. After completing these projects, city dwellers will be benefited.
According to KCC, the total length of the city’s drainage network is 651.50km. Of it, 291.23km is concrete, 55km half concrete and 305km earthen. Khulna city was once blessed with over 50 canals. Now, more than half of those water bodies are dead, while the remaining 22 are struggling for survival.