Heavy rainfall overnight in Dhaka plunged several parts of the capital into waterlogging on Sunday morning (Sept 21), causing widespread travel disruptions and misery for office-bound commuters.
Among the hardest-hit areas were Kazipara, Shewrapara, and various sectors of Mirpur including Mirpur-10, 13, 14, and Kalshi, where water inundated key roads.
Commuters wading through knee-deep water encountered severe delays, with traffic grinding to a near standstill in some zones.
Despite the onset of the problem early in the morning, no effective drainage measures were observed after 7am, exacerbating the situation. Ongoing road development projects across the city added another layer of congestion, worsening the ordeal for thousands attempting to get to work.
Mohammad Moniruzzaman, a resident of Mirpur-14, expressed his frustration: “My office is near the airport, but I’ve been waiting on the roadside for a long time with no transport in sight due to the waterlogging and rain. I’m not sure if I’ll make it to work at all.”
Assistant Police Commissioner of the Mirpur zone, Tania Sultana, confirmed that stagnant water had accumulated in several areas, particularly Mirpur-10, Kazipara, and Shewrapara. In response, vehicles heading from Mirpur-12 to Farmgate were being rerouted through Mirpur-1 in an attempt to ease congestion.
She added that traffic police were actively managing the situation, with stalled vehicles being removed by tow trucks. “Although there is some disruption in Shewrapara and Kazipara, we expect conditions to improve gradually,” she said.
Mohammad, a driver with Ilish Paribahan, recounted that it took him over an hour to travel the short stretch from Mirpur-14 to Mirpur-10. “At Mirpur-13, the water is so deep that vehicles are barely moving. I have no idea how long it will take to reach Savar.”
The combination of waterlogged roads, inadequate drainage, and simultaneous construction work underscored the capital’s chronic infrastructure challenges, particularly during the monsoon season.
SMS/
