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Kapasgola, Chawk Bazar, Bakalia, Halishahar, and Sholashahar, were inundated with knee- to waist-deep water. Stagnant water, often mixed with filth overflowing from roadside drains, severely disrupted daily life and vehicle movement.

Residents expressed frustration over the recurring problem. “Filthy drain water has entered my house, bringing suffering to the whole family,” said Jamal Uddin from Muradpur.

Kamal Uddin of Chawk Bazar described the situation as “hellish”, saying even light rain causes water to enter homes.

Around 1:00pm, Delwara Begum, 60, of the Masterhat Police Beat area, got critically injured when a retaining wall of a plot collapsed on passers-by in Shikalbaha.

Locals rescued her and took her to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, where she later died, said Sub-Inspector Md Asheq, in charge of the CMCH Police Camp.

Karnaphuli Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shahinur Alam said the wall collapsed due to heavy rain.

During a visit to Prabarttak Intersection, Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain said temporary dams in canals, set up for construction work, had slowed drainage.

“Dams were placed to facilitate retaining wall construction, but heavy rain came earlier than expected, causing water to stagnate,” he said, adding that the Army and CDA had been asked to remove the obstructions. “The water level has started to recede after the dams were opened.”

He said efforts have been made since he took office in 2024 to coordinate with CDA to reduce waterlogging, claiming the situation improved by nearly 50 percent last year.

Despite the mayor’s assurance, citizens like Minhaj Uddin of Mehedibagh criticised the lack of long-term solutions.

“We suffer every year, but no effective steps have been taken to address the root causes,” he said.