WHY should Dhaka city get flooded in just a little rain? It is monsoon season now and it is likely to rain frequently and the rain will cause agony for the people walking on the streets and living in the low-lying areas.
Since the canals, the primary drainage system of the city, are blocked, they cannot hold the huge volume of storm water released during the monsoon. Thus almost one-third area of the city goes under water. The sewage of the open drain comes on to the roads. The hassle of walking through the dirt cannot be described on paper.
This messy situation could be attributed to encroachment on the drainage canals and low-lying areas by various interested groups, inadequate drainage and pumping facilities, lack of coordination in management of facilities by various agencies, change of drainage pattern due to land development or other human interventions and in some areas insufficient cleaning of drainage system.
The existing drainage system and sewerage network of the capital should be regularly maintained to address the water logging and flooding problems in the city. Otherwise, the country's image will continue to be tarnished in the eyes of the international community as Dhaka, in a way, symbolises Bangladesh.
Fatema Zerin, East West University, Dhaka
[email protected]
- Friday, 22 November 2024 |
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