ZCZC
BSS-32
RAINFALL-SUFFERING
Heavy downpour collapses civic life in Ctg city
CHATTOGRAM, July 13, 2019 (BSS) – The heavy downpour for last eight consecutive days collapsed the civic life causing immense sufferings to the people of Chattogram as the two-thirds of the city went under knee to waist deep water.
Patenga Meteorological office measured 122.4 millimetres of record rainfall during the last 24 hours ending 3 pm today and 698.7 millimetres of record rainfall in last eight days causing serious disruptions to civic life, port and businesses activities in the city.
City’s all rivers, canals and drains were full to the brim of floodwater caused by the torrential rainfall coupled with full tide water.
Low-lying areas including Chawkbazar, Bakalia, Sholakbahar, Agrabad, Halisahar, Muradpur, Bohaddarhat, Kapasgola, Parbartak Intersection, KB Aman Ali Road, DC Road, Chandgaon, Sholashahar Gate No. 2, East Nasirabad and Dewanbazar areas were inundated in nearly knee-to-waist-deep water.
On the other hand, Chattogram District Administration evacuated around 800 families from risky hill slopes in the city fearing landslide, said Delwar Hossain, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), adding, they were taken to eight shelter centres.
Meanwhile, over 40 unions of the district including five unions in Fatikchari, five in Rangunia, three in Anwara, five in Patiya, four in Satkania, three in Lohagara, four in Banshkhali, three in Chandanaish and seven in Hathazari upazila were affected due to flash flood, according to local source and district administration.
To combat the situation, Chattogram Civil Surgeon Office formed 284 medical teams and a control room for monitoring emergency situation in flood affected areas, said Azizur Rahman Siddique, Civil Surgeon of Chattogram.
“A total of five medical teams in each upazila and one in each union have been performing their duties round the clock,” he added.
Most of the commuters in the areas were seen walking through filthy water overflowing from the roadside drains.
Not only the roads but also all educational institutions, dwelling houses, shops, mosques, temples and parks are reeling from huge deluge.
The torrential downpour forced Chattogram Port to suspend loading and unloading activities at the outer anchorage of the port this morning.
Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport sources said a few flights could not land in the airport while some others were delayed to fly because of heavy downpours.
The heavy downpour which began on July 4 and continued till filling this report caused massive water-logging.
Sufferings of the city residents knew no bounds when bulk of the city areas went under knee to waist deep water for unprecedented heavy downpour throughout the day.
One of the largest business hubs in the country, Khatunganj-Chaktai, was severely affected by the rain and tidal waters as more than 5,000 business establishments in the area were submerged and daily essential commodities inside the warehouses were damaged, Sayed Sagir Ahmed, President of Khatungonj Babsayee Association told BSS.
Witnesses said that many areas went under knee-deep water during the rainfall and residences and business establishments in some low laying areas were submerged by rainwater.
The Met Office also forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in next twenty-four hours in Chattogram region.
BSS/MAM/SKB/KU/1932 HRS