The New Nation - Internet Edition

Water logging is almost a regular experience in Dhaka city due to loss of almost all the natural canals and faulty drainage and sewerage system. A recent photo from Banglar Chokh shows that the VIP road in front of the Chief Adviser's office was flooded with knee-deep water. It is not for the first time that a city street has gone under water; nor was the VIP road an exception. Most of the lanes and by-lanes are prone to water stagnation. City dwellers can vividly remember how Motijheel, Paltan, Kakrail, Shanitnagar, Fakirerpool and many other areas of the capital including old part of the city were inundated with knee to waist deep water in June causing most serious traffic jam and bringing life to a standstill. Experience with the western flood protection embankment (from Babubazar to Ashulia) is simply horrifying. Rainfall of any magnitude, light or heavy, makes life miserable with stinking drain water overflowing roads and lanes. The unprecedented flooding of the port city of Chitagong by mid-June this year and the accompanying miseries can be remembered in this connection.

A number of factors play a causative role behind water logging in the city. Some of them are natural and others man-made. Man has not yet established full control over the laws and phenomenon of nature. But the important thing about nature is that man must not go against the laws of nature. One of the man-made factors playing a role in creating water-logging is the encroachment of almost all the natural canals that kept the city free from water stagnation years together. Only the Begunbari Khal and the Hatirjheel water retention body still exist Through filling these natural canals man has stood against nature and has placed himself to face the scourge of nature. Another serious factor active behind water stagnation is the faulty and inadequate drainage and sewerage network. At some places drains are closed. They are disconnected from bigger or wider drains for subsequent incoherent 'development' works. Drains are supposed to be sloping outward making flow of water easier; but very often the reality is just otherwise. Even, there are places where no drains exist at all. These two factors together have given rise to the present deplorable situation.

The natural canals must be reclaimed immediately to save the city from such calamities. Atention of the concerned authorities has repeatedly been drawn to these from different corners. It is hoped that they will not wait for another round of awakening. It is high time they started working to reclaim the lost canals, repair and maintain the drainage and sewerage system.