Several roads and low-lying areas in Rangpur city went under water after hours of rainfall on Friday morning, causing suffering for residents and exposing the poor state of the city’s drainage system.

According to the local Met office, 135 millimetres of rainfall was recorded in the city between dawn and 11:00am.

The heavy downpour submerged roads in least 20 areas, including Khamar Mor, Babukha, Masterpara, Weather Office area, Chartala Mor Colony, Lalbagh, Park Mor, Medical Campus, Station area, Lalbagh Road and Darshana, in knee-deep water.

It also triggered waterlogging in around 50 low-lying neighbourhoods, including Tatipara, Neelkantha Sotapir and Shantibagh.

During visits to different areas, knee-deep water was found in many areas, while overflowing drains spread foul-smelling dirty water across streets, making movement difficult for commuters.

In several areas, water entered homes, with some residents reporting flooded bedrooms.

They blamed unplanned urban development and inadequate drainage infrastructure for the recurring crisis.

The residents alleged that the Rangpur City Corporation constructed roads and drains in an unplanned manner in many areas, while some neighbourhoods still lack any proper drainage system.

Existing drains are also not cleaned or maintained regularly, causing blockages and prolonged waterlogging even after moderate rainfall.

Locals also expressed frustration over the deteriorating condition of the Shyamasundari Canal, often referred to as the “lungs of Rangpur city.”

Although canal renovation work began recently following long-standing public demands, residents alleged widespread irregularities and corruption in the project, forcing locals to halt the work.

They said poor drainage through the canal has worsened waterlogging in low-lying parts of the city.

Fazlar Rahman, a resident of Neelkantha Sotapir area, said there is no proper drainage system in the locality.

“Even light rain causes waterlogging here. Roads become unusable and water enters homes, making life miserable,” he said.

Another resident, Romiz Alam of the Weather Office area, said roads in the locality go underwater after slight rainfall despite rapid urban development.

“There are big buildings and roads, but no drainage system. Garbage floats on flooded roads and we are forced to wade through dirty water,” he said.

Aminul Islam, a resident of Chartala Mor Colony, blamed unplanned construction and poorly maintained drains for the worsening situation.

“Many drains remain clogged with waste and no one seems to care,” he alleged.

Attempts to contact Rangpur City Corporation Chief Executive Officer Rakib Hasan for comments were unsuccessful.

However, City Corporation Administrator Mahfuz Un Nabi Chowdhury said authorities had already inspected the affected areas and were working to ease waterlogging.

He also called on the Bangladesh Water Development Board to ensure proper implementation of the Shyamasundari Canal excavation project.

Meteorologist Mostafizar Rahman said more rainfall is likely in the coming days.