Dhaka drowns every time it rains – here’s why

Similarly, Shewrapara, Kazipara and Kafrul remain under water following the rains as the Ibrahimpur and Kalyanpur canals are now 80% and 50% inundated respectively.

The largely blocked Panthapath Box Culvert causes frequent flooding in Kalabagan, Dhanmondi-27, Kathalbagan, Green Road and Hatirpool. Meanwhile, encroachment of the Rayerbazar and Jirani canals — about 80 percent of which are occupied — is leading to waterlogging in Hazaribagh, Nawabganj, Rayerbazar, West Dhanmondi and Dhaka New Market.

Rampura and Badda bear the waterlogging caused by the obstruction of the natural flow of water in the Rampura Khal due to the main road in Banasree.

In addition, the low-lying areas from Banasree to Khilgaon Chowdhury Para became dependent on inadequate rainwater runoff after their natural drainage route through the Banasree Canal was blocked.

Areas like Sutrapur, Wari, Nawabpur, Kazi Alauddin Road, Siddique Bazar, Narinda and Tatibazar are facing waterlogging as Dholai Khal, converted into a pipe canal in 2007, is now 90% blocked.

Similarly, Jurain, Shyampur and Rayerbagh are facing the effects of encroachment on Kadamtali and Manda canals, with Kadamtali 70% occupied and Manda clogged with garbage and polythene.

CHANNEL LOSS, ROOM MAINTENANCE

A recent study by the River and Delta Research Center (RDRC) revealed that Dhaka’s canals and river channels once covered 565 hectares of land, according to the cadastral survey.

However, 55 percent of this area has now disappeared. Of the 307 hectares lost, 33.75 percent were taken over by various structures, 18.92 percent by agricultural land, and 16.94 percent by streets. The rest was either filled in or turned into stagnant wetlands, the report said.

Although Dhaka’s two city corporations took charge of the drainage network, including canals, four years ago, experts say their failure to prepare a master plan has hindered progress.

Instead, city corporations installed ad hoc drainages, which proved insufficient.

Besides, Dhaka’s 2016 drainage master plan prepared by Wasa was also ignored.

The master plan had identified key issues such as: clogging and blockages in canals and drains, improper waste management, encroachment on flood plains and low-lying areas, indiscriminate land development, faulty drainage structures and inadequate pumping and drainage facilities.

Despite two Dhaka city corporations spending Tk 262 million over four years to install 334.19 km of combined drainage infrastructure, including drains and sewers, the capital continues to face severe flooding during the rains.

Solid waste exacerbates drainage problems

Poor solid and liquid waste management further aggravates the drainage crisis.

Corporations in Dhaka city said they collect only 60-70 percent of the city’s waste, with the rest often ending up in water bodies and drains, causing blockages.

Furthermore, Iqbal Habib, Vice President of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), stressed the urgent need to address the use of polythene, describing it as a “disaster” for drainage systems.

In addition, untreated sewage, which pollutes canals and water bodies, creates conditions conducive to further violations.

Meanwhile, Dhaka Wasa was supposed to build five sewage treatment plants to handle sewage under its master plan, but has completed only one, in Dasher Kandi, so far.

CONCRETE JUNGLE, SHORT A LOT

Rainwater percolation into soil has decreased drastically in Dhaka due to urban sprawl.

The city, now dominated by concrete, sees 80 percent of rainwater run directly onto the roads, overloading the sewer network.

In 1995, water bodies accounted for 20.57 percent of Dhaka’s central area, but by 2023, this figure has shrunk to just 2.9 percent, according to the Bangladesh Institute of Planners.

Green spaces also fell from 22% to 9% over the same period.

Dr. Bangladesh Institute of Planners Advisory Board Member Akter Mahmud emphasized the importance of rainwater harvesting in public and private buildings in accordance with the National Building Code of Bangladesh.

However, compliance with this requirement remains low.

ELEVATED ROADS: ANOTHER OBSTACLE

The indiscriminate height of roads over the years has exacerbated the problem of waterlogging.

Over the past 15 years, Dhaka’s roads have been raised by more than four feet, making stormwater runoff levels higher than low-lying houses and land, preventing water from flowing.

THE WAY FORWARD

To alleviate congestion in Dhaka, experts like Iqbal and Akter recommend the following: reclaiming and protecting canals, improving waste management, improving solid and liquid waste collection, enforcing strict policies against the use of polythene, rainwater harvesting and implementing the 2016 drainage master plan.

Without urgent intervention, Dhaka’s water-logging problems will worsen, leaving its residents to face the consequences of every rain, experts added.