With monsoon coming Dhaka dwellers brace for the same old problem: waterlogging.  No effective measure has been taken yet for a comprehensive solution to the long-standing hazard of the mega city. Experts said a coordinated master plan involving all relevant agencies should have been taken to drain out rainwater from the city roads.   Also read: Recovered city canals will end waterlogging and add beauty: LGRD Minister The two city corporations claimed that waterlogging will be less this year  as drain, box culvert construction and canal dredging activities are going on for smooth drainage of stagnant rainwater. Talking to UNB some city dwellers voiced their worry over the waterlogging problem in the upcoming monsoon.

The capital city was stuck up for hours in terrible traffic gridlocks on Tuesday, causing untold sufferings to the dwellers, including school children. After a reality check in different parts of the capital including Asadgate, Khilgaon, Moghbazar, Mohammadpur and Dhanmondi areas the UNB reporter found huge tailbacks in many alleys and main roads especially near schools and colleges. Read: Commuters suffer in gridlock after sudden shower’s relief

December is supposed to be a month with a biting cold in Bangladesh, bringing down the Aedes mosquito population substantially. But the country reported over 100 dengue patients on Thursday with 31.2 degrees Celsius of temperature in Dhaka. What is actually behind the dengue prevalence in Dhaka at this time of the year? Experts think Bangladesh is bearing the brunt of global warming. They attribute the unusually high dengue cases during the dry season, mainly in Dhaka, to the prolonged rainy season, sporadic rainfall, and high humidity and temperature, Aedes mosquitoes' reproductive and behavioural changes caused by climate change and lack of people’s awareness and poor controlling measures by the two city corporations of the capital. Also read: Climate change making dengue an annual affair in Bangladesh: Experts They also said the climate conditions of Bangladesh are becoming more favourable for the Aedes mosquitos to prevail in all seasons with high or low intensity mainly for the increase in temperature and breeding sources. The analysts emphasize the need for modernizing the mosquito controlling measures and carrying on separate drives to contain the Aedes and Culex mosquitoes in all seasons as dengue has become endemic in Bangladesh.

No plan to improve the living standard of Dhaka dwellers will work unless the capital-bound migration is stopped, DSCC mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh said on Saturday. "Around 2 crore 10 lakh people live in Dhaka now. Without decentralisation this might go up by 3 crore within 2030 and 5 crore by 2041," Taposh said. All the master plans taken to increase the standard of living for the residents of Dhaka will fail if people continue to flock into the capital from outside, he said.  Read: Combing operation to help contain dengue: Taposh For this reason, the villages and suburbs of the cities should be provided with all modern facilities so that people don't have to come to the capital for the smallest of reasons, the mayor advised.  He was speaking at a seminar titled "Achievements and Future of 50 Years in Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Sector" organized by Local Government Department and Water Aid Bangladesh at the ballroom of Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital on Saturday. Speaking as the chief guest, the Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Tajul Islam said," A group is trying to disturb the communal harmony of the country for their own selfish interest." Read: Taposh blames development projects for city’s waterlogging People's representatives at all levels, including the local government, must be vigilant to deal with this conspiracy, he said. Describing the recent incidents in Cumilla as part of a conspiracy, the local government minister said, "Strict action will be taken against those involved in the incident by identifying them."

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh on Monday urged the city dwellers not to dispose their daily wastages at open places or roads during the day time aiming to build a clean city.