United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has warned that temporary waterlogging may occur in parts of Dhaka metropolitan areas due to heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours. In a rainfall warning bulletin issued on Monday, the BMD said heavy rainfall (44–88mm in 24 hours) to very heavy rainfall (more than 88mm in 24 hours) is likely at places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions from 11am Monday due to the influence of active monsoon. The weather office said temporary waterlogging may occur in some areas of Dhaka city because of the heavy to very heavy rainfall. The highest rainfall in the past 24 hours until 6am on Monday was recorded at Ambagan in Chattogram, where 174mm of rain was measured. During the same period, Dhaka recorded 97mm of rainfall. Day temperatures may fall slightly, while night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged across the country, the bulletin added.

LGRD Minister Md Tajul Islam has said Dhaka dwellers can expect to face less waterlogging during the rainy season this year due to the re-excavation of the city’s canals. He said Dhaka North, South and Chattogram City Corporations’ biggest problem is waterlogging. “We have taken initiative to hand over all the canals in Dhaka to the City Corporation to alleviate the waterlogging. We think we are now enjoying some of the benefits of handing over the canal,” he added. Tejgaon, Shantinagar and many other areas of the city used to go under water during monsoon. The minister was speaking at the 3rd Inter-Ministerial Meeting on prevention of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases in Dhaka and Chattogram at the Secretariat on Sunday. Asked how many canals have been recovered so far, the minister said, "We have handed over a total of 26 canals to the city corporations." He said Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has evicted illegal occupants over six and a half acres of land while Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) recovered 25 acres. “These works are in progress.” Regarding the devastating flood in Sylhet, Tajul said, “We are always prepared for combating disasters.” Read: Flood: Waters start receding in hard hit north-east districts A committee has been formed from the LGRD ministry, convened by Joint Secretary Jasim Uddin, to deal with the floods. The committee will be in charge till next June 30. The duration will be extended if needed, he said. Areas like Sylhet, Sunamganj, Jamalpur, Netrokona generally get inundated due to excessive rains as well as onrush of water from the upstream, Tajul added. No organisation has given a forecast of how devastating the floods will be, except a warning, he said. If the onrush of water from the upstream keeps flowing at this dangerous level due to the continuous rains, it may flood here in Dhaka too, he added. “But we have to be prepared for any unfavorable situation and we are ready for all situations,” Tajul said. Meanwhile, in response to a question on dengue menace, he said, "Both city mayors have made all our preparations to tackle dengue. They have adequate stocks of pesticides, medicines, and equipment they need.”

Torrential monsoon rain from Sunday midnight to Monday morning has swamped many parts of the capital, disrupting people’s movement and triggering traffic chaos.   According to Bangladesh Meteorological Department, 63mm of rain was recorded in the capital from 6am to 9am. Besides, 19 mm of rain was recorded in the last 24 hours till 6am today, said meteorologist Omar Faruk.