United News of Bangladesh

A project to reduce chronic waterlogging, improve roads, and ensure safe drinking water in Sylhet City Corporation has been delayed again, increasing the cost by nearly 44 per cent. Waterlogging remains a serious problem in Sylhet city, causing long-term hardship for residents despite repeated attempts to tackle the issue. Millions of taka have been spent, but results have largely fallen short of expectations. Officials at Sylhet City Corporation said several plans were drawn up after the devastating 2022 floods to protect residents, but implementation has been limited. Read more: COMFLOT West project extended by 2 years; cost nearly doubles The cost of the project titled Alleviation of Waterlogging, Supply of Safe Water and Infrastructure Development of Sylhet City Corporation (Second Revised) has increased mainly due to prolonged implementation delays and an expanded scope of work, according to official documents. It was originally approved at Tk 1,228.02 crore and it has now stood at Tk 1,766.05 crore, reflecting an increase of about Tk 538 crore. The Local Government Division is the sponsoring authority while Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) is implementing the project. According to the Planning Commission documents, the bulk of the revised cost, Tk 1,520.56 crore will come from government funds, with the remaining Tk 245.49 crore to be met from SCC’s own resources. The project was initially scheduled for implementation between January 2020 and December 2023. Its timeline was later extended to December 2024 under the first revision, followed by a further extension to June 2025 without any cost escalation. Under the second revision, the completion deadline has been pushed back again to June 2026, citing the need for additional and more durable works. Officials said the revised scope reflects Sylhet’s vulnerability to heavy rainfall and upstream hill flows, which frequently cause severe waterlogging and damage to roads. Read more: Bangladesh Bank to launch Tk 10,000 crore bond for housing, rail projects To ensure long-term sustainability, the project now places greater emphasis on RCC roads, drains and retaining walls instead of conventional surfacing. Major components of the project include construction of 269.18 kilometres of roads and 363.92 kilometres of drains, along with 6.73 kilometres of retaining walls. The plan also covers 22.75 kilometres of road dividers with tree plantation, slope protection works using CC blocks and RCC retaining walls, and construction of boundary walls stretching 12.71 kilometres. One public toilet and 1.37 kilometres of steel railings along large drains are also included to enhance public safety. To improve urban services, the project include installation of 236.05 kilometres of water pipelines and 263.50 kilometres of electrical works, including an expanded number of streetlights to ensure safer night-time movement in newly extended city areas. Besides, 74 units of essential machinery and vehicles will be procured to support regular excavation and maintenance of 13 major canals and streams flowing through the city. The revision also accounts for increased road repairs including asphalt overlay on roads already showing cracks and potholes, and reconstruction of boundary walls demolished with homeowners’ consent during road widening. Sylhet’s Gowainghat house fire caused by short circuit, police confirm no communal link As of June 2025, the project’s cumulative expenditure stands at Tk 2,186.51 crore, with financial progress at 92.09 per cent and physical progress at 92.50 per cent, according to official records. The Planning Commission, in its recommendation, said successful completion of the project would significantly enhance civic amenities in Sylhet City Corporation by improving roads, drainage, footpaths and the supply of safe drinking water, thereby boosting overall urban resilience in one of the country’s most rain-prone regions.

Allegations that a government canal is being blocked to construct a pipe culvert have raised serious concerns among farmers in Kumarkhali upazila of Kushtia, with at least 70 hectares of agricultural land at risk of permanent waterlogging. Local residents of Nandlalpur Union recently submitted a written complaint to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), accusing influential individuals of obstructing a key canal at Buzruk Bakhai Bottola intersection to install a narrow pipe culvert. They fear the move will severely disrupt natural water flow. According to the complaint and local sources, the nearly one-kilometre-long canal runs from Buzruk Bottola in Nandlalpur Union to Mirzapur Bazar in Shilaidaha Union. Read more: Fertiliser crunch threatens Kushtia’s onion boom despite high prices It plays a crucial role in draining water from the Buzruk Bakhai, Chandpur, and Bahalbariya beels into the nearby Gorai and Padma rivers. However, the canal has not been properly excavated or maintained for several years. Local farmers alleged that portions of the canal have gradually been encroached upon, with multiple pipe culverts constructed to create makeshift roads. This has led to prolonged waterlogging in the surrounding lowlands for at least six months each year. As a result, farmers in the area are able to cultivate only one crop—Boro rice—during the irrigation (IRRI) season. The situation has worsened following a recent initiative to block a 22-foot-wide section of the canal at Buzruk Bakhai Bottola, replacing it with a three-foot-wide pipe culvert under a Union Parishad project reportedly costing around Tk 6 lakh. Farmers fear the narrow culvert will further obstruct water flow, rendering vast tracts of farmland uncultivable throughout the year. A visit to the site revealed a concrete bridge over the canal at Bottola intersection. The western side of the canal has been partially filled with sand, while the remaining portion has been narrowed to about three feet with concrete casting. At least 27 pipes were observed stacked in the courtyard of a nearby house, suggesting preparations for the culvert installation. Meanwhile, farmers and labourers were busy transplanting Boro seedlings in adjacent fields. Read more: As haor waters recede, Sunnamganj farmers sow hope in every field Suman Hossain, a local resident, said, “People associated with the chairman started blocking the canal to install pipes in the morning. Locals protested and forced the workers to leave. We later filed a written complaint with the UNO demanding that the work be stopped.” Rashidul Sheikh, son of farmer Azizul Sheikh from Buzruk Bakhai village, stressed the canal’s importance. “The canal is the only route through which water from the beels flows to the Padma River. We get only one harvest a year. If the canal is blocked, there will be no crop at all,” he said, demanding the immediate cancellation of the project.

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.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has expressed concern over the filling of a water reservoir near the Airport Railway Station fearing a severe waterlogging in a vast area including Uttara Sectors 3 and 4 and a large area of the Civil Aviation during the upcoming monsoon. DNCC Administrator Mohammad Azaz expressed this concern while visiting the development works at the Ashkona Rail Gate adjacent to the Airport Railway Station and its surrounding areas on Monday. “We are apprehending a major waterlogging in the entire (DNCC) ward-50. The spot where we are standing now was a water reservoir. But it was filled due to the construction works of the three big mega projects,” he said. He said the railway authority and elevated expressway authority and all others filled the water reservoir. 5,500 volunteers to work with DNCC to curb mosquito menace: DNCC administrator "If there is no coordination (among the DNCC and the authorities concerned) and there is a heavy rain, the entire airport road will go underwater. There will be waterlogging in Uttara Sectors 3 and 4 and this entire place of the civil aviation,” said Mohammad Azaz. He said they came there to create water channels there for rain water so that the magnitude of waterlogging is not so high. The DNCC administrator hoped that the project authorities will restore the water reservoir as there are many KPIs including airport there. He said a water reservoir is filled during the implementation of a project, but later the project implementers forget that there was a water reservoir there and don’t restore it. Then they want make it a field or build a market or commercial establishments there, he said. In this context, he said Bangladesh Railway, Dhaka Elevated Expressway and Dhaka North City Corporation will work together to resolve waterlogging in the Airport-Ashkona area during the upcoming monsoon season. "As work on several mega projects is ongoing, we are afraid of severe waterlogging this year, so preparations are being made to drain the maximum water before the monsoon," he said. The DNCC administrator said that reservoirs are essential to mitigate major urban floods caused by climate change. Trade licences to be revoked if businesses occupy footpaths: DNCC Administrator He requested all concerned not to fill the reservoirs during the development project implementation. “If they do, they should restore reservoirs on completion of the project works,” he added. DNCC Chief Executive Officer Abu Sayeed Md Kamruzzaman, Chief Engineer Brig Gen Md Moin Uddin, among others, were present.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Mohammad Ejaz has announced that environmental protection, public health preservation, and resolving the issue of waterlogging will be prioritized in the city corporation’s development initiatives under him. The newly-installed administrator held a views-exchange meeting with journalists at the DNCC hall room on Monday (February 17). Before the meeting, Mohammad Ejaz inaugurated a photo gallery titled “Immortal Memory of the July Uprising” at the entrance wall of Gulshan Nagar Bhaban’s ground floor. The gallery sequentially presents the events of the July Uprising through photographs. Mohammad Ejaz said, “Ensuring a livable city for Dhaka means maintaining a healthy environment, ensuring clean air, saving rivers and canals, and creating open spaces for children to play, and for people to walk and relax. Roads, drainage, water, and waste management systems must function efficiently.” “Initiatives have been taken to recover and excavate canals to alleviate waterlogging during the upcoming monsoon. Drainage system improvements will be coordinated with WASA and the Dhaka South City Corporation. DNCC’s development projects will prioritize democratic processes, involving local residents and stakeholders in decision-making. Special emphasis will be placed on ensuring fair civic services for marginalized communities,” he added. DNCC drive in Mirpur removes battery-powered rickshaws from main roads On the removal of illegal banners and posters, Ejaz stated, “Banners and posters will be removed from roads. PVC banners, which are extremely harmful to the environment, are strictly prohibited. The July Uprising graffiti on walls will be preserved, and fines will be imposed for placing posters or banners. DNCC will also remain free from political influence.” He also noted, “I have visited Uttarkhan after taking charge. Initiatives have been taken to establish a park, a playground, and a community complex by demarcating and evicting illegal structures at three locations. The park will be built beside the Teromukh Bridge, while a playground and a community complex will be constructed in Amaya and Kanchkura.” Administrator Ejaz announced the formation of three honorary advisory committees for DNCC operations: the Biodiversity Committee, the Diaspora Committee, and the General Committee. The meeting was also attended by Chief Executive Officer of DNCC Abu Sayeed Md. Kamruzzaman, Secretary Mohammad Masud Alam Siddique, Chief Engineer Brig. Gen. Md. Moin Uddin, Chief Health Officer Brig. Gen. Imrul Kayes Chowdhury, Chief Waste Management Officer Commodore ABM Shamsul Alam, and other officials.

Jashore’s Abhaynagar may fail to achieve the target of Aman production this year as crops on 1, 826 hectares of lands have been damaged due to waterlogging in Bhabadah Beel, leaving farmers worried. Though the upazila usually sees a bumper yield of transplanted Aman paddy every year, this year’s scenario is different. According to the upazila agriculture office, the target for Aman cultivation in eight unions and one municipality this season was set at 7,550 hectares—1,790 hectares of hybrid varieties, 5,825 hectares of high-yield varieties and 25 hectares of local varieties. But 7,640 hectares of lands were brought under Aman cultivation, an increase by 90 hectares compared to the target. The farmers and agriculture officials predict that the upazila will face a deficit of 9, 375 metric tonnes out of targeted 38020 metric tonnes this year. Last year, the Ropa Aman paddy was cultivated on 7, 550 hectares of land while this number stood at 5, 814 hectares, a decrease by 1, 736 hectares this year. All the Ropa Aman planted on 835 hectares of lands in Sundoli union were damaged. Read:Govt to procure 3.5 lakh MT Aman paddy at Tk 33 per kg Three hundred and ten hectares of lands out of 850 hectares have been damaged in Nawabganj union, 533 hectares out of 1, 154 in Prembag union, 60 out of 1,011 hectares in Chalishia union, 88 out of 605 hectares in Payra union. The highest 1,392 hectares of Ropa Aman were cultivated in Sreedharpur union. Besides, Bagutia, Shubharara and Siddhipasha unions have cultivated the paddy on 1,305 460 and 140 hectares of land this year. Ujjal Das, a farmer from Sundoli’s Arpara village, said he leased one acre of land in Shurirdanga Beel for transplanted Aman. However, the entire crop has been damaged by waterlogging. Echoing Ujjal, another farmer Rabiul Islam from Chalishia’s Kota village, said he planted Aman on two bighas in Chatra Beel, but all his crops have been destroyed. “We’re living in despair, with waterlogged yards and no yield. We need government compensation to survive,” he said. Abhaynagar Upazila Agriculture Officer Lovely Khatun blamed the waterlogging for the possible shortfall of the Aman paddy this year. “The government is working with utmost sincerity to resolve the waterlogging issue permanently. For areas where water may recede within 20–25 days, short-duration, high-yield BINA-14 paddy cultivation is being recommended. We’re also focusing on boosting vegetable production,” she said. Under the agricultural rehabilitation programme, 475 farmers are receiving high-yield vegetable seeds and a cash grant of Tk 1,000 each. Read more: 17, 359 MT rice, 7, 614 MT Aman paddy to be collected from Naogaon this season Efforts are also being made to prioritise boro paddy cultivation for the upcoming season, she added.

Around 15 lakh people in Fulhatla, Dumuria, and Aronghata’s Beel Dakatiya of Khulna have been stranded due to waterlogging for nearly two months. Repeated rainfall from August to October led to severe waterlogging in the absence of proper water drainage system, causing severe miseries. Locals said the people of this region are facing shortages of food and clean water and many have fallen sick with waterborne and skin diseases. In some areas, the situation is so dire that there is no space to bury the dead. Commuters suffer as rain causes waterlogging in Dhaka Dumuria Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Muhammad Al-Amin said that the situation in Beel Dakatia was particularly severe this year. "We have prepared a proposal to address the waterlogging issue. We are not rushing into any decisions. We plan to take time, possibly 1-2 weeks, to gather opinions from water experts, environmental specialists, and academics from various universities. “ If necessary, we will bring in experts from Dhaka to work with us and then present the plan to the district administration, he added. The affected area spans parts of Fulhatla, Dumuria, Aronghata, and even parts of Jessore's Abhaynagar and Keshabpur Upazilas. This area encompasses 30,000 acres of cultivable land. Due to heavy rainfall and poor drainage system the land has remained submerged for almost two months. Fish farmers have also faced difficulties as silt has accumulated in the rivers, exacerbating the crisis. Due to waterlogging crops have been destroyed, income sources have been cut off, and the area is experiencing extreme food shortages. The demand for a permanent solution to the waterlogging problem is urgent for the trapped residents of this region. In an interview, Professor Mia Golam Parwar, secretary seneral of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh and former MP for Khulna-5 constituency (Fulhatla and Dumuria), stressed the need for ending the problem. Water Resources secretary Nazmul Ahsan said the Ministry of Water Resources is eager to find a quick solution to alleviate the suffering of the people trapped in the floodwaters. “We aim to take local residents’ opinions and expert advice to come up with a new plan for a permanent solution."  

Heavy rainfall on Friday afternoon caused severe waterlogging in several parts of capital Dhaka, leading to immense suffering for commuters. Many were seen wading through waterlogged streets in areas such as Mouchak, Malibagh, Shantinagar, Moghbazar, Kakrail, Paltan, Dainik Bangla Intersection, Khilgaon Rail Gate, and Rajarbagh Police Lines as they tried to reach their destinations. Though today is a weekend, those who ventured out for emergency purposes found themselves stuck in severe traffic congestion in various parts of the city. Many were seen waiting for public transport for a long time. Read: DMP to commuters: Be aware of rain-triggered traffic jams The rainwater also seeped into some private vehicles and CNG-run autorickshaws plying the main roads, exacerbating the situation further. Taking advantage of the traffic congestion and waterlogged roads, rickshaw-pullers were reportedly charging higher fares from passengers. Kabir Hossain, a private service holder, shared his experience with UNB, stating that he had been waiting for a vehicle to go to the Dainik Bangla Intersection from Khilgaon Rail Gate for around half an hour, but no public transport was available. "The rickshaw-pullers are charging an extra fare compared to the usual one," he said. Read more: City dwellers suffer amid unusual traffic jams  The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast rain or thundershowers across all divisions, including Dhaka, in the 24 hours beginning  from 9:00 am on Friday.

Waterlogging has become a never-ending problem for the residents of Horijon Polli in Chilmari upazila of Kurigram district, thanks to the lack of adequate measures of the local administration. Some 150 people of 30 families are going through untold suffering due to the waterlogging problem as the whole area has been submerged following the torrential rainfall and onrush of water from the upstream over the last week. Read more: Dhaka city corporations grapple with persistent waterlogging problem on multiple fronts During a recent visit to the Horijon Polli, at Sabujpara under Thanahat union, this correspondent found water all around and the residents of the area were seen fetching safe drinking water and food after wading through waist-deep water. Moni Lal, a local, said the whole area gets inundated even after little rain and residents of the area have been living in such a situation for the past one week. If the water increases further then they have to move to a safer place. Read more:Monsoon coming, no solution to Dhaka’s waterlogging in sight Besides, they did not receive any assistance from the authorities though eight days have passed, claimed the local people. Contacted, Rafiul Alam, Chilmari Upazila Nirbahi Officer, said a list is being prepared and the higher authorities concerned have been informed. Read more: Waterlogging turns severe in Chattogram after heavy rains for 3rd consecutive day

Residents of areas along the Teesta river in Aditmari upazila of Lalmonirhat district are living in fear of losing their homes and crops as erosion has taken a serious turn. Several thousand families living on the riverbanks were facing waterlogging issues due to the torrential rainfall last week. Several hundred hectares of cropland were damaged during this period. But when the floodwater started to recede, panic gripped them as erosion took a serious turn in seven to eight points along the left side of the river. Over the past few days, 25-30 houses, croplands and several establishments were washed away due to the erosion, forcing many families to live under the open sky. Rising river waters trigger flooding, erosion concerns in Kurigram Many have shifted their valuables including furniture on the roadside and near the flood protection dam. Meanwhile, residents of Gobordhan and Garibullatari villages under Mahishkhocha union of the upazila saw severe erosion at the dead night on Tuesday near the embankment. A number of establishments including a mosque have gone into the river. The families of Rabiul, Bhuttu and Yeakub Ali are living under the open sky as their homesteads were washed away due to the erosion. Locals said if the authorities do not take any steps immediately, the embankment would also go into the river. Villagers spend sleepless nights as Madhumati river banks erosion intensifies in Faridpur  They also demanded constructing a permanent dam along the riverbank. Sunil Kumar, executive engineer of Lalmonirhat Water Development Board, said erosion occurred in seven-eight points along the riverbanks while erosion at spur dam-2 took a serious turn. They have informed the matter to the high official concerned, he said. After visiting the affected areas, GR Sarwar, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Aditmari upazila, said a list of affected people is being prepared and assistance will be provided as per the list. Teesta erosion worsens in Kurigram; 50 homes swept away