(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Incessant rains across Bangladesh since Thursday night, triggered by depression in the Bay of Bengal, have brought life to a standstill in the capital Dhaka and most parts of the country.
The highest 271mm of rain was recorded in Gopalganj district while 149mm in Dhaka during the past 24 hours, meteorology department office Nazmul Haque told newsmen in Dhaka.
Intermittent heavy rains with squally wind may continue until last night and the situation may improve slightly today, he said.
In Dhaka, office-goers and school students faced hardship in the early morning for lack of transport and waterlogging in some areas.
Many were seen wading through filthy water to reach their destinations.
A major part of the city, including Kawran Bazar, Dhanmondi road-27, Sangsad Bhaban area, Kazipara Farmgate and Malibagh, went under ankle-to-knee-deep water.
'Rain is now a curse for me as I have to wade through dirty water to take my son to school... I don't know when authorities will be able to solve the waterlogging problem and we'll be freed from the curse. The worsening situation proves the authorities are largely unconcerned about the commuters' plight, said Monwara Begum, a resident of the city's Malibagh area.
Voicing their anger over waterlogging that has become almost a common phenomenon in the city, people on social media posted photos of public sufferings, slamming the poor
drainage system in Dhaka.
Meanwhile, ports of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep local cautionary signal hoisted due to the depression formed in the Bay.
The land depression is likely to move in a north/northeasterly direction further and weaken gradually.
During the last 24 hours, 100mm rainfall was recorded in Mymensingh, 137mm in Chandpur, 103mm in Hatiya, 139mm in Ishwardi, 163mm in Khulna, 123mm in Satkhira, 162mm in Jessore, 186mm in Barisal and 177mm in Faridpur.
Under the influence of the land depression the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Bhola, Barisal, Patuakhali, Jhalakati, Pirojpur, Borguna, Bagherhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands are likely to be inundated by wind driven surge of 2ft height above normal astronomical tide.
Light to moderate rain/thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty/squally wind is likely to occur at most places over Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barisal, Chittagong and Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over the country, the Met Office said in its forecast.
All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.
Over 700 vehicles remained stranded at Paturia-Dauladia ferry stations since Friday night on both sides due to the inclement weather, said Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Aricha sector manager Mohiuddin Russel.
Beside, 1,000 vehicles, mostly goods-laden trucks, remained stuck since Friday afternoon at Shimulia-Kawrakandi ferry station, said a Shimulia BIWTA
official.
In Gazipur, the persistent rains triggered long tailbacks on Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh highways on Saturday morning.
Hundreds of commuters remained stuck on the road from Chandora to Cheragali of Tongi due to the traffic gridlock.
The rains also inundated low-lying areas across the country, including the ones in Bagerhat and Satkhira districts.
MENAFN2110201700670000ID1095971463
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.