Rain again cripples life in capital

It took only 23.6mm of rainfall between 12 noon and 3pm yesterday (Wednesday) to flood most city streets, disrupting rush hour traffic, and causing long delays and hardships for commuters.

From Motijheel, Malibagh, Shantinagar, Paltan, Dhanmondi, Tejgaon to Mirpur, the tales were the same from witnesses.

All streets, major to feeder roads, in every neighbourhood in these areas saw massive waterlogging and traffic disruptions. Even the Secretariat and the National Press Club (NPC) and the surrounding streets faced the second spell of waterlogging within a week.

Business was disrupted for sometime at the capital's main wholesale market, the Karwan Bazar, and its retail market went under ankle to knee-deep water that even threatened the entrances to a five star hotel and the surrounding commercial establishments, including two satellite TV channels and newspapers.

Fortunately, the rain did not last long despite drizzles following the downpour that also flooded portions of Elephant Road, Dhanmondi Road 27(old), stretches of Mirpur and Satmasjid roads, and narrow streets and lanes of their surrounding areas. It took a long time for the water to clear slowly as drains are clogged by discarded garbage, polythene and plastic net shopping bags. These pose a serious threat not only to the drainage system, but to the environment as well.

Commuters returning home were seen jostling to board crowded buses arriving late, negotiating long tailbacks at Motijheel, Fakirerpool, Daink Bangla, Shahbagh, Bangla Motor and Farm Gate. Women, girls, children and the physically challenged, in particular, had trouble boarding buses. But there were no other modes of transport like auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws. Even battery-operated rickshaws were seen taking advantage of the plight of commuters, charging more.

The Met Office said there was high humidity in the south-easterly air, with the monsoon fairly active over the country and the North Bay. This caused the rain in the city and its neighbouring areas. In an earlier spell, the city experienced 7mm of rainfall overnight till 6am yesterday. This, combined with the afternoon spell of heavy showers, totalled 30.6mm.

There has been rain almost every day since July 26. More rain is expected as the sky remained overcast well into the evening.

Rain again cripples life in capital

It took only 23.6mm of rainfall between 12 noon and 3pm yesterday (Wednesday) to flood most city streets, disrupting rush hour traffic, and causing long delays and hardships for commuters. From Motijheel, Malibagh, Shantinagar, Paltan, Dhanmondi, Tejgaon to Mirpur, the tales were the same from witnesses. All streets, major to feeder roads, in every neighbourhood in these areas saw massive waterlogging and traffic disruptions. Even the Secretariat and the National Press Club (NPC) and the surrounding streets faced the second spell of waterlogging within a week. Business was disrupted for sometime at the capitals main wholesale market, the Karwan Bazar, and its retail market went under ankle to knee-deep water that even threatened the entrances to a five star hotel and the surrounding commercial establishments, including two satellite TV channels and newspapers. Fortunately, the rain did not last long despite drizzles following the downpour that also flooded portions of Elephant Road, Dhanmondi Road 27(old), stretches of Mirpur and Satmasjid roads, and narrow streets and lanes of their surrounding areas. It took a long time for the water to clear slowly as drains are clogged by discarded garbage, polythene and plastic net shopping bags. These pose a serious threat not only to the drainage system, but to the environment as well. Commuters returning home were seen jostling to board crowded buses arriving late, negotiating long tailbacks at Motijheel, Fakirerpool, Daink Bangla, Shahbagh, Bangla Motor and Farm Gate. Women, girls, children and the physically challenged, in particular, had trouble boarding buses. But there were no other modes of transport like auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws. Even battery-operated rickshaws were seen taking advantage of the plight of commuters, charging more. The Met Office said there was high humidity in the south-easterly air, with the monsoon fairly active over the country and the North Bay. This caused the rain in the city and its neighbouring areas. In an earlier spell, the city experienced 7mm of rainfall overnight till 6am yesterday. This, combined with the afternoon spell of heavy showers, totalled 30.6mm. There has been rain almost every day since July 26. More rain is expected as the sky remained overcast well into the evening.