Barishal city grapples with severe waterlogging

Kawsar Nesari

Persistent rainfall for 48 hours till yesterday noon, coupled with rising waters during high tide, crippled much of Barishal city with waterlogging, disrupting daily life of inhabitants.
Roads and houses in the low-lying areas under Barishal City Corporation — including Rupatali, Bottola, College Row, College Avenue, Baidyapara, Sagardi, and Palashpur — have been submerged under two to four feet of water, causing immense sufferings to people. The city’s busiest main road, Sadar Road, was inundated with at least two feet of water for two days since.

People living in slums in the city’s low-lying areas, including Palashpur and Stadium Slum areas, were unable to cook food due to water entering their houses. Bithi, a resident of Stadium Slum area, said the slum dwellers had to eat dry food without being able to cook as their houses are submerged.
Most of the small traders of the city could not work on the streets due to incessant rain. Students were seen returning home wet from school.

Swapon Kumar Das, administrative officer of Barishal City Corporation, said the city corporation workers were working in the waterlogged areas, but very little work has been done due to heavy rain.

“Earlier, water used to submerge the streets, now water is entering our homes,” said Faiz Belal, an entrepreneur from the Alekanda area of the city.

Bashir Ahmed, senior observer at Barishal Meteorological Office, said the city saw a total 149.6mm of rain over the last 24 hours till yesterday noon.

Meanwhile, several voluntary organisations, including BD Clean, have been carrying out clean up works in different canals in Barishal city to prevent waterlogging.

Masudur Rahman of BD Clean said they have cleaned the canal in Chowmatha area of the city so that the water can recede quickly.