Mymensingh City Corporation (MCC) has been draining stagnant water as various city roads and low-lying areas were submerged following heavy rainfall for eight and a half hours. The flood has caused severe disruption to daily life. This year's highest rainfall of 174 millimeters in Mymensingh district was recorded today, beginning from 12:30am to 9:00am, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
MCC Administrator's Response
Speaking to BSS while supervising the drainage work, MCC Administrator Rukunuzzaman Rokon said the temporary waterlogging was caused by heavy rainfall, the dumping of waste and garbage into drains by owners of multi-storey buildings, unplanned drainage systems developed over previous years and the absence of drains in many areas. The administrator said city workers were working in the field to remove the water and that floodwater had already receded from many locations.
Recent Efforts and Future Plans
The administrator said that within just 100 days of assuming office, several canals, including the Akua Canal, had been cleaned to restore water flow. He added that a comprehensive plan to permanently address waterlogging is currently underway and once implemented, the problem would be permanently eliminated.
Affected Areas and Resident Concerns
A visit to different parts of the city found that rainfall, which began in the early hours today, left important areas including Sankipara, Akua, Golokibari, Balashpur, Charpara, Khagdahar, Ganginarpar, Natun Bazar, District School intersection and Keotkhali under knee-deep water. Overflowing drains spread dirty water onto roads, plunging many areas and causing severe suffering to office-goers, students and patients. Ambulances and other emergency vehicles, particularly in the Charpara area also faced serious difficulties.
At Charpara intersection, resident Saddam Hossain said, "It took me more than an hour to cover a few hundred metres with a patient in an ambulance. As water has entered the hospital, patients are suffering immensely." Residents said the main reasons behind the waterlogging were an unplanned drainage system, encroachment on the city's canals and unplanned urbanisation.
Ongoing Projects and Challenges
Businessman Abu Sayeed of Sankipara alleged, "Electric poles standing in the middle of drains are obstructing the flow of water. Despite paying taxes regularly, we are deprived of civic services." A project worth Tk 629 crore had been undertaken during the 2021-2025 fiscal years to construct 322 kilometres of drains to address waterlogging. Although the project deadline has passed, only 55 percent of the work has so far been completed.
MCC Chief Engineer Rafiqul Islam Mia told BSS that unplanned urbanisation is the principal cause of waterlogging. He said the city's canals are also inadequate for proper drainage. However, a project to connect the city's canals with the river is currently under process and once implemented, it would enable quicker drainage of water.
