A heavy spell of rain early Monday once again exposed Dhaka’s unresolved waterlogging and inadequate drainage, paralysing the city for hours and reigniting debate over who can rescue the capital from its recurring misery.

Md Amin, 30, a shop employee, collapsed near Najira Bazar intersection in Bangshal around 9:30am while wading through waterlogged streets during the downpour.

He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) unconscious at about 9:45am, where doctors declared him dead, said Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of the DMCH police camp.

Across the city, commuters were seen trudging through ankle- to knee-deep water as they struggled to reach offices, schools and other destinations.

Roads and lanes lay submerged in Mouchak, Malibagh, Dhanmondi, Mohammadpur, Kalabagan, Karwan Bazar, Green Road, Monipuripara, New Market, Asad Gate, Jigatola and several other neighbourhoods.
In some places, the water rose to knee level; in others, it reached the waist.

Keya Sarker, an employee of a private company, shared her ordeal, saying, “Usually, it takes me 20 to 25 minutes to reach my office. Today, it took more than an hour. Travelling by bus from Kakrail to Mouchak felt like crossing a river.”  

Shop employee electrocuted on Dhaka’s waterlogged road

At Shantinagar intersection, she saw a van laden with goods trapped in water after its driver failed to notice a pothole hidden beneath the murky surface, worsening the traffic jam.

Social media reflected similar frustrations, often touched with humour.

Dhaka University student Tuli, from the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, wrote on Facebook, “My class was at 8:30am. When I woke up, I felt like I was floating on an island, as the hall was filled with water. I somehow swam out, but when I reached New Market, it was impossible to cross even by swimming. The rickshaw pullers were refusing to go. Finally, one agreed – but demanded Tk 850, though it seemed he felt bad about saying no.”

Romana, another private employee, said, “The gridlocked traffic and flooded roads turned the morning rush into an ordeal. I had to wade through stinking water to reach my office.”

Meteorologist Hafizur Rahman reported that 107mm of rainfall had been recorded in the capital over 24 hours till noon on Monday, while Feni district registered the highest rainfall at 116mm.  

A Met Office bulletin said the sky might remain overcast for the next six hours, with daytime temperatures likely to drop slightly.

Dhaka South City Corporation later issued a press release saying arrangements had been made to drain water quickly from inundated areas using temporary portable pumps.

Roots of a Recurring Crisis

Experts point to unplanned development as the prime cause of Dhaka’s chronic waterlogging. Illegal encroachment, landfill and diversions have choked stormwater drainage systems, obstructing the natural flow of water. As a result, the city is regularly exposed to irksome flooding, particularly during the monsoon.

Waterlogging inflicts significant social, physical, economic and environmental costs, especially during heavy downpours – underscoring the urgency of government action.

A lack of coordination and transparency among relevant agencies, coupled with negligence by city corporation staff and cleaners, careless littering by citizens and delays in drainage construction and maintenance, compound the problem.

Urban planners stress that sustainable drainage is essential for sustainable development, as it reduces the impact of heavy rainfall and surface runoff. Since drainage links to other utilities, a well-functioning system would also enhance other services.

Effective synchronisation and collaboration among authorities are therefore key to tackling Dhaka’s waterlogging.

Excavating Canals: A Way Forward

Excavating just 15 encroached canals could resolve about 80% of Dhaka’s persistent waterlogging, according to a 2024 study by the River and Delta Research Centre (RDRC), a non-government research organisation.

Low pressure area formed over Bay; heavy rains likely in 3 divisions

The study highlighted nine waterlogging hotspots in the capital and recommended reopening canals including: Rupnagar Main Khal, Baunia Khal, Baishteki Khal, Sangbadik Colony Khal, Kalyanpur Khal, Ibrahimpur Khal, Panthapath Box Culvert Khal, Rayerbazar Khal, Jirani Khal, the south end of Rampura Khal, Dolai Khal, Kadamtali Khal and Manda Khal.

The study identified nine waterlogging hotspots: Pallabi Shiyalbari, Rupnagar, and Eastern Housing; Kalshi and Mirpur 11; Tolarbag, Ahmed Nagar, and Paikpara; Shewrapara, Kazipara, and Kafrul; Kalabagan, Dhanmondi 27, Kathalbagan, Green Road, and Hatirpool; Hazaribagh, Nawabganj, Rayerbazar, West Dhanmondi, and Dhaka Newmarket; Rampura and Badda; Sutrapur, Wari, Nawabpur, Kazi Alauddin Road, Siddique Bazar, Narinda, and Tanti Bazar; and Jurain, Siddhirganj, Jaker Manjil, Shyampur, Purba Jurain, Saddam Market, and Rayerbag. Finetune the above as a news feature in British English without changing information, facts and names With a coordinated plan to recover and maintain these canals – alongside sustainable drainage practices and efficient city management – experts believe the capital could finally be freed from the annual nightmare of flooding.