Relentless rains paralyse life in capital, elsewhere
3 killed in wall collapses, 3 washed away
UNB
Three people were killed in wall collapses in as many districts and three others washed away by tidal surge in Bhola yesterday as incessant rains across the country since Thursday night, triggered by depression in the Bay, brought the life to a standstill in the capital and most parts of the country, reports UNB.
In Kushita, Rupchand, 52, died as part of a mud-wall of his house fell on him at Chithalia Mallikpara in Mirpur upazila in the early hours, said Gias Uddin, chairman of Chithalia union parishad.
In Gazipur, garment worker Selina Akhter who used to live in a rented house at Kainjanul village was killed as the wall of an adjoining house collapsed on her house, said Bhawal Mirzapur union parishad member Shah Alam.
Jahid, 2, son of Sumon Miah of Chadalchar area in Bajitpur upazila of Kishoreganj, along with his mother was sleeping at his grandmothers house when a wall of the nearby house fell on it around 3am, leaving the minor boy dead on the spot and his mother and aunt injured.
In Bhola, at least six villages were inundated as the Meghna River was flowing over the danger level under the influence of depression. The mighty river also washed away a house along with three people -- Elias, Ruhul
Amin and Rahat -- in Chowdhury Bazar area of Monpura upazila.
The highest 271 mm rainfall was recorded in Gopalganj district while 149 mm in the capital during the last 24 hours till 6pm on Saturday, according to Met office.
Besides, 186 mm rainfall was recorded in Barisal, 163 mm in Khulna, 100 mm in Mymensingh, 85 mm in Rangpur, 92 mm in Rajshahi, 10 mm in Chittagong and eight mm in Syllhet divisions. The maritime ports of Chittagong, Coxs Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal No 3.
Meanwhile, the activities at the Monga port remained suspended following the bad weather. Besides, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) suspended the operation of all types of vessels across the due to the inclement weather.
The land depression over West Bengal-Western part of Bangladesh moved north-northeastwards further and was centred at 3pm over Tangail region and adjoining area of Bangladesh (near lat 24.1deg;n and long90.0deg;e).
It is likely to move in a north/northeasterly direction further and weaken gradually. Under its influence, steep pressure gradient persists and deep convection is continuing over the North Bay.
All fishing boat and trawler over North Bay have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.
In the capital, private office goers and school students faced troubles in the early morning for lack of transports and waterlogging in some areas. Many were seen wading through filthy water to reach their destinations.
A major part of the city, including Kawran Bazar, Dhanmondi road-27, Sangsad Bhaban area, Kazipara Farmgate, Malibagh, Shantinagar, Mouchak, Moghbazar, Arambagh and Fakirerpool went under ankle-to-knee-deep water.
Rain is now a curse for me as I have to wade through stinky and dirty water to take my son to school... I dont know when the authorities will be able to solve the waterlogging problem and well be freed from the curse. The worsening situation proves the authorities are largely unconcerned about the commuters plight, said Monwara Begum, a resident of the citys Malibagh area.
Voicing their anger over waterlogging that has become almost a common phenomenon in the city, people on social media posted photos of public sufferings, slamming the poor drainage system in the capital. At a number of points in the capital, firefighters stepped in to help the city dwellers to cross the inundated roads with their boats.
Sources at the Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters said the FSCD members ferried the city dwellers, especially women, children and students in Motijheel, Notre Dame College, Karwan Bazar and Shewrapara areas.
Over 700 vehicles remained stranded at Paturia-Dauladia ferry terminals since Friday night on both sides due to the inclement weather, said Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Aricha sector manager Mohiuddin Russel.
Beside, 1000 vehicles, mostly goods-laden trucks, remained stuck at Shimulia-Kawrakandi ferry ghat since Friday afternoon, said a Shimulia BIWTA official.
In Gazipur, the persistent rains triggered long tailbacks on Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh highways.
Hundreds of commuters remained stuck on the highways from Chandora to Cheragali of Tongi.
In Barguna, around 20 villages were inundated as several embankments damaged in Sadar, Taltali, Betagi and Patharghata upazilas following heavy rains in the last three days under the influence of depression.
In Bhola, 5,000 acres of Aman field went under water in Monpura upazila.
In Chandpur, several parts of a passenger launch, Greenline-2, were damaged as it was hit by a strong wind in the Meghna River around 12 noon.
However, there was no report of any casualty as it was anchored immediately after the accident, said Abul Hasim, officer-in-charge of Chandpur river police.
