ARUN BIKASH DEY, Chattogram

Torrential rain, triggered by a steep pressure gradient over the North Bay, submerged low-lying areas of Chattogram for the second consecutive day yesterday, causing immense suffering to residents.

Meanwhile, an elderly woman was killed, and three others were injured when a retaining wall collapsed due to the heavy rainfall in the Shikalbaha area of Karnaphuli upazila in the afternoon.

Amid the situation, during his speech in parliament yesterday, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman apologised to port city residents for the hardship caused by severe waterlogging and assured that efforts are underway to resolve the crisis.

Responding to a point of order raised by Chattogram-10 lawmaker Sayeed Al Noman, he said, “There is severe waterlogging. Naturally, it will take some time to address the issue. For this suffering, I sincerely apologise to all citizens living in Chattogram city. We are trying to resolve this problem as quickly as possible.”

The Chattogram Met Office recorded 59.6 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours until 12:00pm yesterday. Assistant Met Officer Bashir Ahmed attributed the downpour to thunderclouds over the Bay of Bengal.

Due to squally weather and pressure differences in the North Bay, maritime ports in Chattogram were advised to hoist local cautionary signal number 3. Fishing boats and trawlers were asked to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.

Vast areas, including Prabarttak Intersection, Muradpur, Bahaddarhat,

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