Water Logging Problem in Chittagong

Chittagong is known as the commercial capital of Bangladesh. The residents of different areas of Chittagong are very familiar with the problem of water logging during rainy season. A moderate to heavy rainfall is enough to inundate main roads, lanes and by-lanes of both old and new parts of the city. As a major economic zone its economy hampers a lot during rainy season.

The worst sufferers included the residents of Bakalia Solosahar, GEC Moor (crossing), WASA Crossing, Badurtala, Halishahar, Agrabad, Hat Hazari, Boalkhali, Baddarhat, Muradpur, Probartak Moor, Kapasgola, Panchlais, Chaktai Baddarhat, Muradpur,.The sufferings of common people and school children knows no bound.Water logging also causes various diseases such as malaria, dengue, diarrhea etc.

Main causes of the problem

People become victim to this disaster every year. Unplanned development is responsible for this. Now-a-days people are blocking canals, ponds, lakes with soil with a view to making buildings, apartments, shops, shopping malls etc.

The drainage system is not well planned here. This kind of development is leaving a bad effect to the environment. Development does not always bring good to the nature. If this condition goes on, these areas will submerge under the water of the Bay of Bengal soon.

Current Condition of the Problem

For getting more information, I, Tasfia kamal & my group member, Labeba tahsin, took an interview of Ms. Sultana Rajia who is working as the deputy inspector of Asian University for Women(20/A, M.M. Ali Road, Chittagong). She lives near Lalkhan Bajar, Chittagong. She is a native dweller of Chittagong. She is working here for 2 years & experienced about the water logging problem in front of the university as well as her residence every year.

According to her point of view, the Mayor of Chittagong tried a lot to solve the problem. But still the problem is reigning here. She thinks unplanned development is responsible for this problem. She also emphasized that during the monsoon time, the students cannot go outside the university because the water is up to knee. The teachers cannot come to the university. The sufferings of people know no bounds. Measures needed to be taken

The water logging problem is going beyond description day by day. As the problem is affecting the health & communication system of the civilian, precautious measures are needed to be taken as early as possible.

First of all, well planned drainage system is a must. If the rain water cannot pass properly there will be water logged. Also waste from houses, other buildings, offices go through the drain. If the drain is stuck the water cannot pass. So, drainage problem has to be solved by local authorities or the city mayor. People should be aware of not throwing no degradable things into drain directly. Waste materials are needed to be disposed properly so that it cannot make the drain stuck.

Increase of construction and maintenance cost is a very crucial topic .Enrollment of workers in road construction and proper maintenance system will be effective .Government should raise the maintenance cost. By digging more canals, ponds, and by making rivers wide with diggers this steps will be effective for this water logging problem because by this the normal watery wastes as well as the rain water will be passing properly.

Disaster is fearful but with our preparation and awareness we can reduce the damages of disasters. We want to convey the message of awareness among the people during the disaster period through our project.